OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the present study was to evaluate radiodiagnosis services in two public hospitals with x-ray equipment in the city of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interviews, measurements and direct observation were performed, following the Brazilian legislation in force, especially the Order (Portaria) SVS/MS 453 of 1998 of the Ministry of Health establishing the basic guidelines for radiation exposure protection in medical and odontological x-ray facilities. RESULTS: The data indicated a high rate of non-compliance with the legislation in both radiological services, especially concerning poor equipment operation, and non-compliance with some safety protocols. CONCLUSION: Basically, technical and operational infractions have occurred as a result of a broad unfamiliarity with the legislation, the absence of a preventive equipment maintenance program, besides low investment in training and/or courses for professional updating. Therefore, a considerable number of simple and complex changes are demanded to improve the quality of the investigated radiodiagnosis services.

Keywords: Radiodiagnosis services, Service evaluation, Exposure risk, Acre State

OBJECTIVE: Radiography of the chest remains one of the most commonly performed examinations, although many of these procedures could be avoided if specific criteria were considered at the time of request. The aim of this study was to check if the quality of the clinical examination (physical examination) was associated with clinically significant abnormal findings in chest x-ray films. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this transversal cohort study, 142 outpatients from an university hospital (Salvador, BA, Brazil), for whom a chest x-ray was requested, were included. RESULTS: Clinically significant abnormalities were seen in less than half (46.5%) of the patients submitted to chest x-rays. Patients aged 50 years or above showed a prevalence (P) 2.8 fold higher of presenting abnormalities on chest x-ray examinations. This figure was similar (P = 2.7) in patients coming from the outpatients of a cardiothoracic or medical clinic or in patients who were on therapy for their condition (P = 2.0). However, the variable utilized for assessment of the quality of medical care showed no association with the presence of chest x-ray abnormalities or with the purpose of the request and the type of complaint reported by the patient. CONCLUSION: The results indicate the need to conduct additional studies using a different methodological approach in order to determine the impact of clinical history and physical examination accuracy on request forms of chest x-ray examinations.

Keywords: Chest radiography, Clinical examination, Accuracy, Efficiency