355 - Achieving comparable DXA results for patient's mobility in NHG primary healthcare

• Published in: Journal of medical imaging and radiation sciences Vol. 55; no. 3
• Main Authors: Yue, Ms Sing, Lim, Iris, Teng, Ms Kai Qi, Huiying, Ms, Lim, Vanessa, Ting, Ms Wei, Chan, Elise, Tan, Ms Chia Ling, Chong, Mr Chun Meng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.10.2024
• ISSN: 1939-8654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2024.101663

The project was intended to bring all NHGD DXA machines a state of cross-calibration to allow patients to have follow up scans done at different scanners and still have comparable DXA results. DXA machines are measurement instruments which are high internal accuracy but poor external precision when compared against other DXA machines. Cross-calibration between DXA machines are performed to ensure that DXA results obtained from different DXA machines can be compared for comparison study, while allowing flexibility for patients with increased access to wider range of DXA machines without compromising on their DXA results within primary healthcare. The Cross-Calibration exercise was performed according to the guidelines in ISCD Official position 2019 for cross-calibration of DXA scanner of same make and model for 20 days. The NHGD identified “Gold Spine Phantom” was transported in a shockproof case by appointed courier service between the DXA machines during the exercise period. The DXA values obtained during the period were recorded and mean DXA was calculated. Subsequently, Quality Control (QC) plots were reviewed monthly for monitoring after the cross-calibration exercise. The percentage difference of all new DXA scanners to index scanner in NHGD is 0.01%, 0.19% and 0.11% respectively, within 0.5% difference. The QC Plots are stable within limits (0.12%, 0.05%, 0.18% and 0.13% respectively). All 4 unit of NHGD DXA machines were observed to be within cross-calibrated limit, indicating results obtained on the DXA scanners can be used interchangeably, allowing comparing of DXA results within the acceptable limit. This allows flexibility and accessibility of DXA scanners to the community at risk of osteoporosis. This study may provide an insight and could potentially be an initiator for the cross-calibration exercise among multiple DXA facilities within cluster or nationwide.