[ RadSafe ] X-ray machines unfit for Mater Dei's children and emergency department

[Sandy Perle]

X-ray machines unfit for Mater Dei's children and emergency department

Malta, Sept 2 - The X-ray machine that is meant to be used on children at
the new Mater Dei Hospital has been found to be unsuitable for infants given
that it does not operate on low radiation doses supposed for young patients,
MaltaToday can reveal.
Hospital sources say the machine, which was meant to cater for children and
which should have been ordered with specifications to make X-rays safer and
quicker for children, turned out to be normal X-ray equipment used on
adults.


Installed in what is referred to as the "paediatric room", the machine is
said to be unfit for its intended users as children would need equipment
that emanates less radiation through low dose filters.


Instead, the equipment installed is known as a fluoroscopy machine, which
allows specialists to study the stomach, intestines and veins but which is
not used for normal X-rays, which are in much greater demand.


Sources said there are similar problems at the casualty department, where
two X-ray machines were installed but are also unsuitable for generic X-rays
required by that unit.


Attempts to contact the hospital authorities and the spokesman for the Mater
Dei Hospital over the weekend proved futile.
The hospital administration changed one of the machines to a more suitable
one in the last weeks, ru

nning into an estimated Lm500,000 overrun, although the other one remains
installed given a lack of finances to replace both of them.
Hospital staff expressed their concern at the fact that with only one
functional machine at the emergency department, there will be serious delays
when it would need servicing or a part replacement.


"This would mean that patients would have to be sent to other sections of
the hospital to have their X-rays, resulting in delays in the commencement
of treatment and discomfort to patients and relatives," hospital sources
said.


"Everyone at the casualty department is asking on what criteria were the two
X-ray machines bought, as it is clear that no expert opinion in radiology
must have been sought.


"These machines are never used in casualty as they hinder the workflow and
cannot be used to carry out several X-rays."
Earlier last month, MaltaToday revealed that the radiology department had to
close down its new unit and stop taking X-rays as the equipment there still
lacked safety certification from the Occupational Health and Safety
Authority (OHSA).


In fact, an OHSA officer issued a stop order until the authority gives its
green light following confirmation that the facilities there follow
international standards protecting staff and patients.

www.maltatoday.com.mt/2007/08/19/t2.html

 

 

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