Assessment of occupational radiation exposure among medical staff in health-care facilities in the Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction:Radiation exposure poses hazards for health-care providers as well as patients in health-care facilities (HCFs). Radiographic imaging is extremely valuable as a diagnostic tool in medicine, but ionizing radiation and computed tomography (CT) scan carry well-known potential risks. Personnel and radiation safety monitoring is an important safety precaution in the practice of radiography.Aim:The study aimed to assess the occupational radiation exposure and safety protection among medical staff in HCFs in the Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).Materials and Methods:Total of 4 HCFs with radiological services were randomly selected for the study in the period from January to April 2013. The radiation survey has been carried out by the measurement of radiation in the x-ray and CT-scan room at different points of the diagnostic, imaging, and waiting rooms of different hospitals. The radiation safety was assessed by using a questionnaireResults:The results of our study are surprising and alarming. Data revealed that there are a significant association between the levels of radiation exposure in all selected hospitals concerning imaging and waiting X-ray and CT-scan operating room (P < 0.01). For radiation safety, most hospitals have lead aprons and thyroid shields in place, but only about 50% have lead glasses and lead shields, showing that many hospitals still lack essential equipment. Moreover, actual utilization rate of radiation dosimeters are 57.7% and 68.9%, respectively.Conclusion:All medical staff as well as patients are at risk of exposure to x-ray and CT-scan radiation exposure, and the levels are exceeding the standard guidelines. Many hospitals still lack safety protection tools and there is a complete absence of radiation protection equipment. Further studies should be conducted to highlight different aspects of radiation exposure dose and safety protection tools.

Epidemic characteristics and related risk factors of occupational exposure for pediatric health care workers in Chinese public hospitals: a cross-sectional study

“…Today, due to social factors such as the current medical environment and doctor-patient relationship, Chinese health care workers are under great pressure [24] and face the risk of experiencing serious injuries resulting from occupational exposure. Previous research on occupational exposure mostly focuses on the impact of specific substances or the behavior of health care workers [25, 26]. Few studies examine the current elements of occupational exposure and risk factors for health care workers, and none explore occupational exposure in relation to pediatric health care workers [27–29].…”

Radiation Protection Literacy and Its Associated Factors Among Healthcare Workers in Negeri Sembilan

“…Open Access: e-Journal always used lead aprons, 3.3% (n = 5) used lead goggles, 29.1% (n = 44) used thyroid shield, 2% (n = 3) used lead gloves and 21.2% (n = 32) used gonad shield as opposed with another study in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia involving medical staff in health care facilities which reported 99% of medical staff always used lead aprons, 60% used a lead shield, 37% used lead glasses, and 42% used thyroid shield (K. Salama et al, 2016). However, findings in our study is better than other study in Northern Nigeria which reported 10.9% (n = 12) of respondent always used lead aprons, 4.5% (n = 5) used lead goggles, 2.7% (n = 3) used thyroid shield, 4.5% (n = 5) used lead gloves and 4.5% (n = 5) used gonad shield (Awosan et al, 2016).…”

Assessment of Radiology Health Workers'knowledge,attitudes and Practices of Radiation Protection Precautions in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia.

“…Radiography (also called radiologic technology) includes conventional x-ray imaging as well as additional imaging modalities such as fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicines (NM) and radiation therapy (RT). Radiography is an essential diagnostic tool of modern medicine.Within a hospital, radiologists, radiology and nuclear medicine technicians, and others involved in the performance of x-ray and computed tomography (CT)scan examinations, have an increased risk for radiation exposure than the general hospital population ( Salama, et al, 2016).…”

“…The use of ionizing radiations in medicine is expanding rapidly due to the introduction of new ionizing radiation oriented diagnostic and therapeutic practices. Radiographic imaging is extremely valuable as a diagnostic tool in medicine, but ionizing radiation also carries well-known potential risks (Salama, et al, 2016).…”

“…Radiation exposure poses hazards for healthcare providers as well as patients, and it may have somatic and genetic effects. Monitoring of radiation doses received by staff in radio-diagnostic centers is of great importance to the radiographers in their effort to protect themselves, patients, and the general public from the untoward effect of excessive radiation (Salama, et al, 2016).…”