Radiation Safety Awareness Among Medical Staff

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThe common access to imaging methods based on ionizing radiation requires also radiation protection. The knowledge of ionizing radiation exposure risks among the medical staff is essential for planning diagnostic procedures and therapy.Evaluation of the knowledge of radiation safety during diagnostic procedures among the medical staff.Material/MethodsThe study consisted of a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire consisted of seven closed-ended questions concerning the knowledge of the effects of exposure to ionizing radiation as well as questions related to responder’s profession and work experience. The study group included a total of 150 individuals from four professional groups: nurses, doctors, medical technicians, support staff. The study was carried out in the three largest hospitals in Gdańsk between July and October 2013.ResultsThe highest rates of correct answers to questions related to the issue of radiation protection were provided by the staff of radiology facilities and emergency departments with 1–5 years of professional experience. The most vulnerable group in terms of the knowledge of these issues consisted of individuals working at surgical wards with 11–15 years of professional experience.ConclusionsEducation in the field of radiological protection should be a subject of periodic training of medical personnel regardless of position and length of service.

Perceptions of radiation safety training among interventionalists in South Africa

“…Szarmach et al state that radiation safety can only be addressed by educating all healthcare professionals, irrespective of their position, and that they need to be trained ‘thoroughly and systematically’. 23 Reinforcing radiation safety messages and training optimises radiation safety. 24 …”

“…Uniformity in content and instruction will facilitate that interventionalists are adequately trained in this area and that radiation safety is reinforced across South Africa. 1 , 23 , 24 …”

Anesthesia and sedation outside of the operating room

“…The anesthesiologist is exposed to high levels of radiation in the radiology intervention room [ 27 ] during fluoroscopy and must wear proper protective lead aprons and thyroid shields throughout the procedure [ 28 ]. Szarmach et al [ 29 ] reported that radiation safety among medical staff was lowest in the surgical ward. Physicians as well as trainees and students should be equipped with dosimeters where there is evident radiation exposure, despite their low radiation exposure.…”

Radiation protection for surgeons and anesthetists: practices and knowledge before and after training

“…Lacking any validated questionnaires for RP, an ad hoc questionnaire was developed based on several bibliographic sources [15,16,19,[26][27][28] and distributed before and after training. The questionnaire was nominative to compare pre/post training responses and included When the x-ray tube is horizontal, you position yourself:…”