Pattern of radiation safety measures and security culture in four major hospitals, Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Radiation safety and radioactive source security constitute an essential part of radiation protection in medicine, and launching them involves cultural interactions. Aim: To explore the current situation of radiation protection in hospitals in order to improve radiation safety and security culture and measures in Ismailia city hospitals. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at 13 units in four hospitals in Ismailia city. Health care workers (292) with potential exposure to radiation (physicians, technicians, nurses and physicists) were included. Safety culture questionnaire, inspection checklist and thermo scientific model survey meter to assess the radiation levels in different units were used. Results: The results of this study showed moderate radiation safety culture (The mean scores culture was 95.3±12.8). The linear regression analysis showed that working days/week significantly predicts the safety culture of participants. Radiation safety and security measures represented in different departments were insufficient. There was variability among hospitals and departments as regard the level and the efficiency of protection, concerning shields and protection of doors and windows. Conclusion: Different departments/ units in the investigated hospitals showed an overall inadequacy of radiation safety and security measures and most of them showed inefficiency of protection as well as the design of rooms.