Perceptions of radiation safety training among interventionalists in South Africa

Rose, André; Rae, William

doi:10.5830/cvja-2017-028

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…48 The training curriculum on radiation safety is inadequate for South African cardiologists and the gap in this training requires urgent attention. 49,50 The training needs to be included in the formal training curriculum and in the CME programme to ensure consistency in practice. 12 Training provokes improvement in the radiation management skills of operators, which improves the safety of all team members and patients in the catheterisation laboratory.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interventionalists’ perceptions on a culture of radiation protection

Rose¹,

Uebel²,

Rae³

2018

S. Afr. j. radiol.

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Background: Occupational exposure to ionising radiation poses potential health risks to radiation workers unless adequate protection is in place. The catheterisation laboratory is a highly contextualised workplace with a distinctive organisational and workplace culture. Objective: This study was conducted to understand the culture of radiation protection (CRP). Methods: This study was a qualitative study and data were collected through 30 in-depth and 6 group interviews with 54 purposively selected South African interventionalists (interventional radiologists and cardiologists). The participants included a diversity of interventionalists who varied in sex, geographic location and years of experience with fluoroscopy. The transcribed data were analysed thematically using a deductive and inductive approach. Results: ‘Culture of radiation protection’ emerged as a complex theme that intersected with other themes: ‘knowledge and awareness of radiation’, ‘radiation safety practice’, ‘personal protective equipment (PPE) utilisation’ and ‘education and training’. Conclusion: Establishing and sustaining a CRP provides an opportunity to mitigate the potentially detrimental health effects of occupational radiation exposure. Education and training are pivotal to establishing a CRP. The time to establish a culture of radiation in the catheterisation laboratory is now.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interventionalists’ perceptions on a culture of radiation protection

Rose¹,

Uebel²,

Rae³

2018

S. Afr. j. radiol.

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“…A South African study showed that there was a gap in the training on radiation safety in South African cardiologists. 25 Radiation safety training, however, also needs to be ongoing for it to be effective. 26 Adequate education on radiation safety mitigates the occupational risk of IR exposure to interventionalists working in the catheterisation laboratory.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ophthalmic manifestations of ionising radiation among interventionalists

Ngetu

Marais

Rose

et al. 2019

Afr. vis. eye health

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Background: Ionising radiation (IR) is an occupational hazard for interventionalists. Dry eye syndrome may develop. There may be damage to the corneal epithelium, causing irritation and ulceration. Radiation-induced cataracts commonly develop in the posterior sub-capsular (PSC) region of the lens and are more common in the left eye. Aim:The aim of this study was to describe the ophthalmological findings in South African interventionalists occupationally exposed to IR.Setting: This study was conducted in South Africa. Methods:A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Interventional radiologists ( 25), adult cardiologists (42) and paediatric cardiologists (31) were recruited at conferences and included in the study. Convenience sampling was used. Participants completed a survey that collected data on their demographics, their cataract risk factors and co-morbid diseases, their occupational history, their radiation safety practices and their training in occupational history. Participants' eyes were examined using a slit lamp after dilation of the eyes. Ethics clearance was obtained and each participant gave informed consent. A descriptive analysis was done. Results:The median age of the 98 interventionalists screened was 43.5 years. They worked with radiation for a median of 7.5 years. Cataracts occurred in the left eye of 17 (17.3%) participants and in the right eye of nine (9.2%). There were five (5.1%) PSC cataracts in the left eye and one (1%) in the right eye. The vitreous was abnormal in 19.4% of participants. The tear break-up time was abnormal in 48% of participants. Conclusion:Ionising radiation is an occupational hazard posing a risk to interventionalists' eyes. They are at increased risk of cataracts and dry eye syndrome, which can affect their occupational performance and quality of life. Education can positively influence the radiation safety practices of interventionalists that could reduce the detrimental effects of IR on their eyes.

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“…[6] It is important that different specialties employing radiation receive dedicated instruction and training in radiation safety to optimise their medical practice. [13] Most participants (95.4%) indicated that it was necessary to include radiation safety in the curriculum. Overall, participants indicated low levels of satisfaction (44.1%) with the level of radiation safety training they had received.…”

Section: Short Research Reportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The combination of these two factors should encourage the curriculum developers for these two groups to investigate and address this omission, especially for cardiology training. [13] One study indicated that implementation of a training programme resulted in a significant short-and long-term reduction in radiation dose to patients and radiation HCWs. [14] Advocating small behavioural changes among interventionalists reduces radiation during procedures, but requires educating them, especially cardiologists.…”

Section: Short Research Reportmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survey of radiation safety training among South African interventionalists

Rose

Rae

2018

AJHPE

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Interventionalists are highly specialised doctors who undergo rigorous training. The use of ionising radiation is an integral part of their medical practice and potentially poses major occupational health risks, such as skin damage, genetic and chromosomal aberrations, carcinomas and cataract formation. [1] The use of this modality for diagnostic, treatment and interventional procedures has increased substantially, posing greater occupational risks. [2] In medicine, occupational radiation protection is challenging and increased vigilance is required to protect radiation healthcare workers (HCWs). [1] Ionising radiation places patients at risk of developing skin reactions and alopecia, malaise, gastrointestinal problems, damage to heart and lungs, and primary and secondary carcinomas. [3] Patients may receive an increased radiation dose owing to over-investigation, because of the complexity and duration of procedures or poor radiation safety practices by operators. [3] Improved knowledge of radiation safety for patients may assist in reducing these complications and thus improve the quality of care. [4] Specialists require dedicated training in radiation safety, as it effectively reduces radiation risk and optimises radiation safety practices. [5] There is a need to elevate the level of training received by interventional cardiologists to that of interventional radiologists. [6] This may be challenging, as the cardiologists' curriculum already comprises an enormous volume of work, but it is important that professional and regulatory bodies find a way to implement and foster these changes in the interest of interventionalists and their patients. [6] Developing a culture of learning will assist in developing a culture of radiation protection (CRP), which is essential to lessen radiation exposure. A CRP is a combination of the knowledge, beliefs and practices in an organisation that promotes radiation safety in the workplace. [7] Creating and sustaining a CRP is the responsibility of the catheterisation laboratory team (doctors, nurses and radiographers) and managers. [8] The latter are responsible for ensuring that the equipment is functional and maintained and for providing sufficient and correct personal protective equipment (PPE). [8] A CRP creates awareness of the risks of radiation injury to patients and operators and facilitates improved compliance with PPE use. [7] This culture can be stimulated by including radiation safety training in the formal curriculum of all interventionalists. [9] The objective of this article is to present the findings of the perceptions of South African (SA) interventionalists on the radiation safety training they received and to offer insights into the importance of developing and promoting such training programmes for all interventionalists in SA. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we collected data by means of a structured survey. The study forms part of a larger multiple-methods study, which is described elsewhere. [10] The study population consisted of SA radiologists, adult...

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Perceptions of radiation safety training among interventionalists in South Africa

Cited by 12 publications

References 25 publications

Interventionalists’ perceptions on a culture of radiation protection

Interventionalists’ perceptions on a culture of radiation protection

Ophthalmic manifestations of ionising radiation among interventionalists

A survey of radiation safety training among South African interventionalists

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