Introduction: In Ghana, there is a need to document computed tomography (CT) infrastructure and management systems for the development of interventions to promote CT practices while ensuring patient protection through the establishment of diagnostic reference levels and improved dose management systems.
Methods: A quantitative inquiry using a descriptive, cross-sectional approach was used to collect data, using a semistructured questionnaire related to CT infrastructure and management from the technical heads responsible for CT scanners. Data collected included the scanner characteristics, basic management system and organizational arrangements, number of attending practitioners, clinical indications for CT examinations, and the operation of CT facilities in Ghana.
Results: Of the 35 CT scanners installed across the country, 31 were involved in the study. The majority (29%) were Toshiba models. Equipment slices ranged from 1 to 640, of which 45.2% were 16-slice scanners. Many (n = 28, 90.3%) were functioning, and most were installed in the capital city, Accra. The equipment mean age was 7.3 ± 4.4 years, and 25.6% were 10 or more years old. There were 107 operating radiographers, 60 reporting radiologists, and 10 medical physicists employed across the facilities. A total of 204,760 CT examinations were performed yearly (6.8 CT procedures per 1000 people in Ghana). Head CT procedures were the most common, and suspicion of cerebrovascular accident or stroke (32.8%) was the most common indication. Some basic quality management system and policy driving CT infrastructure in Ghana were lacking.
Conclusion: The results have provided essential information on the status of CT infrastructure and management systems for policy development and planning in CT facilities in Ghana. This study provides those interested in CT services, jobs, or medical equipment investment in Ghana the information needed to make appropriate decisions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2019.11.140 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Doppler weather radars as a game changer in desert locust swarm tracking.
Sci Rep
December 2024
India Meteorological Department, New Delhi, 110003, India.
Desert locusts, notorious for their ruinous impact on agriculture, threaten over 20% of Earth's landmass, prompting billions in losses and global food scarcity concerns. With billions of these locusts invading agrarian lands, this is no longer a thing of the past. Recent invasions, such as those in India, where losses reached US$ 3 billion in 2019-20 alone, underscore the urgency of action.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOptimizing demand response and load balancing in smart EV charging networks using AI integrated blockchain framework.
Sci Rep
December 2024
Department of Theoretical Electrical Engineering and Diagnostics of Electrical Equipment, Institute of Electrodynamics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Beresteyskiy, 56, Kyiv-57, 03680, Kyiv, Ukraine.
The integration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) into power grids introduces several critical challenges, such as limited scalability, inefficiencies in real-time demand management, and significant data privacy and security vulnerabilities within centralized architectures. Furthermore, the increasing demand for decentralized systems necessitates robust solutions to handle the growing volume of EVs while ensuring grid stability and optimizing energy utilization. To address these challenges, this paper presents the Demand Response and Load Balancing using Artificial intelligence (DR-LB-AI) framework.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRegulations of activities and protection levels in marine protected areas of the European Union: A dataset compiled from multiple data sources.
Data Brief
December 2024
Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), Campus de Gambelas, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal.
The dataset gathers available regulations of human activities and protection levels of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the European Union (EU). The MPA list and polygons were extracted from the MPA database of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and completed with available zoning systems (all were filtered for their marine area reported under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive). Fully-overlapping MPAs were merged.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessing five-year trend and socio-demographic determinants of caesarean section delivery in Ghana.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
December 2024
Fred N Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana.
Introduction: The rate of caesarean section (C-section) deliveries has been increasing globally, including in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana. Understanding the trends, patterns, and socio-demographic determinants of C-section deliveries is crucial for improving maternal healthcare services and reducing unnecessary surgical interventions. This study aims to assess the trend and factors associated with CS deliveries in Ghana using secondary data from the District Health Information Management System 2 (DHIMS-2) database.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe current status of trauma care for older adults in Saudi Arabia.
Front Med (Lausanne)
December 2024
Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
The aging population in Saudi Arabia presents unique challenges to the trauma care system, especially in prehospital settings. This narrative review aims to assess the current status of trauma care for older adults in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the implications of aging, gaps in the trauma system, and the role of emergency medical services. The global rise in life expectancy has increased the incidence of injuries among older adults, leading to a greater burden on healthcare systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!