ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aims to estimate the annual doses for personnel categories following their exposure to ionizing radiation during their occupation in the external radiotherapy department of the Center of Oncology and Hematology (COH) at Mohammed VI Hospital in Marrakech.Materials and Methods:Operational dosimeters PACK MGP DMC3000 were used to measure the dose rates around the machines operating with ionizing radiation. In order to assess the reliability of the measurements made by these dosimeters, they were checked against measurements made at the same position by theInspector detector. The annual effective dosewas calculated by multiplying the average dose rate measured during a procedure by the overall treatment time throughout a year Results: Regarding the reliability checkof the measuring instrument, the recorded error is between 2 and 10% with an average of 7%. For personnel category A, the measured dose rate ranges from 0.066 to 0.083 μSv/h, with an average value of 0.075 μSv/h. For category B, it varies between 0.066 and 0.083 μSv, with an average value of 0.092 μSv/h. It is 0.074 μSv/h for category C. The annual dose for category A ranges from 0.089 to 0.113 mSv/year, with an average value of 0.101 mSv/year. For category B, it varies between 0.089 and 0.113 mSv/year, with an average value of 0.100 mSv/year. It is 0.100mSv/year for category C.Conclusion: The annual effective doses to personnel categories, assessed by this study, are very low compared to the regulatory standards set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). As a result, workers benefit from good radiation protection conditions within the Center of Oncology and Hematology at Mohammed VI Hospital in Marrakech
ABSTRACT
Background: Computed tomography (CT) is a major source of ionizing radiation exposure in medical diagnostic. Patients more exposed related to radiation are supposed to be more susceptible to health risks.Purpose:The aim of this study was to assess physician’s knowledge of radiation doses and potential health risks of radiation exposure from CT.Materials and Methods:A standardized questionnaire was distributed to physicians. The questionnaire covered thedemographic data of the prescriber, the frequency of referrals for CT scan examinations, the physicians’ knowledge of radiation doses, the potential health risks of radiation exposure from CT scan and training on patients’ radiation protection. The datawere analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Microsoft Office Excel 2007.Results:A total of 72 physicians (55%) completed the questionnaire. Ninety nine percent of the practitioners’ prescribe CT examinations for patients during their exercises but only 10% of physicians use the guideline during CT prescriptions. Thirty eight percent of prescribers took into account the ratio benefit/risk related to x-rays during radiological exam prescription. While 4% of prescribers’ explained the risk related to x-rays to the patients during radiological exam prescription, 14% of physicians have correctly estimated the effective dose received during an abdomen pelvic scan compared to the dose of a standard chest x-ray radiograph in an adult. Fifty four percent of doctors underestimated the lifetime risk of fatal cancer attributable to a single computed tomography scan of the abdomen pelvic and 8% of practitioners have received formal training on risks to patients from radiation exposure. Conclusion:The presentstudy showed the limited knowledge of radiation exposure for the Physicians. Recurrent training in advanced radiation protection of patients could lead to significant improvements in knowledge and practice of CT prescribers