ABSTRACT
Objectives: To compare the entrance skin doses (ESD) before and after implementation of a radiation safety policy in neonates (RSN), which focused on clinician-directed technical specifications on the digital X-ray machine. Methods: Prospective observations included two sets of X-rays: Before (BRSN) and after (ARSN) implementation of RSN (documented indication for Xray/expected posttest findings, settings of 40 kVp, 0.5 mAs, film-focus distance 100 cm, gonadal-shield, optimal collimation, and post-shoot image-enhancement). Results: 33 and 32 X-rays were analyzed in respective groups. Mean (SD) of calculated and machine-quantified ESD (µGy/m2) was higher in BRSN group as compared to ARSN group (P <0.001). All ARSN X-rays were interpretable for expected post-test findings. Conclusion: Clinicians’ cognizance of ability to make consequential bedside technical specifications, can reduce ESD without affecting interpretability. These single observations could have a larger impact in sick neonates, where multiple X-rays are done.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the awareness of and attitudes towards radiation safety and protective measures among clinical nurses in liver interventional department, so as to provide insights into the formulation of radiation-protective measures among clinical healthcare workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. Clinical nurses in liver interventional departments of class A tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province were sampled, and the awareness of and attitudes towards radiation safety and protective measures were investigated using self-designed questionnaires. Results A total of 112 questionnaires were allocated, and 97 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 86.61%. The awareness of questions including “interventional therapy may cause radiation exposure” and “wearing lead apron may reduce radiation exposure” was both 100.00% among respondents, and the awareness of questions including “radiation exposure may cause congenital malformations in babies”, “radiation exposure may cause cancers such as skin cancer and leukemia”, “radiation exposure may cause death”, “wearing lead goggles may reduce radiation exposure”, and “wearing thyroid shields may reduce radiation exposure” was all higher than 95.00%, while the awareness of questions “radiation exposure may cause cataract of the eye lens” and “radiation exposure may cause bone marrow depression” was relatively low. Respondents presented high-level attitudes towards lead aprons, and low-level attitudes towards goggles and thyroid shields. Conclusion The awareness of radiation safety knowledge is high among clinical nurses in liver interventional departments; however, an overall low-level attitude is seen towards radiation-protective measures. Health education pertaining to radiation safety and protective measures is required to be improved, so as to increase the compliance to radiation-protective measures.
ABSTRACT
In 2003, the responsibility of radiation source safety supervision was redivided and transferred from the health department to the environmental protection department. After the promulgation and implementation of the Rule on the Administration of Radiodiagnosis and Radiotherapy in 2006, due to the incorporation of a large number of medical practice supervision rules, the radiation health supervision of medical institutions has evolved into the radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy supervision. In the past 16 years, radiation, occupational health supervision, and medical practice supervision have not been well integrated, and there are many legal problems in radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy supervision. The regulation rules of environmental protection, metrology, and other relevant departments on radiation sources and radiation devices have been constantly changing, resulting in overly complex regulatory requirements on radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy, which increases the burden of medical institutions. This paper reviews the historical evolution and legal system changes of radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy supervision, analyzes the problems and challenges faced by the relevant regulatory departments, and proposes ways to improve the supervision system.
ABSTRACT
Ionizing radiation has been widely used for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Nevertheless, radiation exposure may increase the risk of skin, cardiovascular system, hematological system, and metabolic disorders, and even the risk of cancers. Rational use of ionizing radiation improves prognosis and facilitates biomedical research, while misuse or overuse may result in serious consequences. Scientific and objective assessment of health hazards of medical radiation and establishment of effective protective interventions are of great importance to control the risk of radiation exposure. This article reviews the health hazards and protective measures of medical radiation.
ABSTRACT
An Online Survey among Interventional Cardiologists (IC) assessed the knowledge (five questions) and practice of radiation safety (eleven questions). Out of 185 respondents, knowledge of annual radiation dose (2% knew), LAO cranial view giving maximum radiation (48%) and benefit of assessment of radiation exposure with dose area product (31%) was limited. Radiation safety was practiced “whenever I remember” in 37e59%. Radiation safety practices were optimal frame rate selection (32%), distancing from x-ray unit (17%), collimation use (30%), positioning the image detector close to chest (91%) and personal dosimeters use (40%). A major gap exists between knowledge and practice of radiation safety
ABSTRACT
Background@#The ionizing radiation produced by X-ray baggage scanners may cause harmful health effects to the health of occupational workers and members of the public. Hence, the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommends that radiation exposures from X-ray baggage scanners be kept as low as reasonably achievable. @*Objectives@#This study was done to assess the occupational risk from the measured ambient radiation from anti-crime X-ray scanners from a hotel and a port facility in Metro Manila. This was done by comparing the measured radiation levels with the acceptable limits required by the Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health, and Research (CDRRHR) –Department of Health (DOH) – Food and Drug Administration (FDA). @*Methodology@#Ambient radiation of X-ray baggage scanners from Manila North Harbour Port Inc. (MNHPI) and Marriott Hotel Manila (MHM) were measured using RaySafe Xi survey detector while both machines were in operation. Measurements were done at a five-cm distance from the surface of the scanner console, front, back, left, and right sides. Peak measurements of ambient radiation were then obtained to overestimate the scattered radiation dose received by the worker assigned to the scanner. Values from the peak measurement were then compared with the limits set by the CDRRHR-DOH-FDA. @*Results@#The maximum measured ambient radiations at 5 cm from the surface of the machine were 0.590 μSv/hr and 3.519 μSv/hr from MNHPI and MHM, respectively. Both peak measurements were less than the 5.000 μSv/hr limit set by the CDRRHR-DOH-FDA. @*Conclusion@#Measurements from both facilities are within the required limit of the 5 μSv/hr at 5 cm distance from the external surface of the X-ray baggage scanner, set by the CDRRHR-DOH-FDA. It was also seen that the calculated annual occupation dose of the operator is within the limits set by ICRP. It is also recommended to study measuring at other distances from the surface of the scanner to determine whether safety protocols should be reassessed.
Subject(s)
Radiation ProtectionABSTRACT
High-energy radiation derived from X-ray, γ-ray, neutrons, and other radioisotopes has been widely used for disease diagnosis and treatmentin clinical practice. Notably, high-energy radiation has been proven to increase the cure rate, prolong the survival time, and improve the quality of life among patients with malignant tumors. However, radiation poses huge threats to human health and life. Establishment of effective emergency management information systems for medical radiation is therefore of great significance to evaluate the radiation safety, predict the leakage of radioactive materials, and propose effective responses. This review summarizes the development and application of currently main emergency management information systems for medical radiation, so as to provide a reference for the establishment of sensitive and effective hospital-based radiation emergency management information systems.
ABSTRACT
@#<b>Objective</b> To investigate the awareness of ionizing radiation safety and protection knowledge among clinical healthcare professionals. <b>Methods</b> A cross-sectional study was performed among 270 nurses using a self-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire included participants’ socio-demographic features, and knowledge of radiation physics and biology, principle of radiation use, radiation protection, and guideline for safe use of ionizing radiation. The questionnaire results were analyzed using the descriptive epidemiological method. <b>Results</b> A total of 270 questionnaires were assigned, and 252 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective response rate of 93.33%. Among the 252 respondents, 99.21% were female, 80.16% at the age of 25 to < 55, 31.35% with work seniority of 20 years and longer, 66.67% with an education level of bachelor degree, and 75.00% with a history of receiving medical radiation knowledge training and education. The awareness rates of the following problems were all more than 90%: “knowing the protocols concerning radiation workers who are pregnant”, “trying best to promote agreed safety protocols concerning radiation dose and radiation usage in my daily work and actions”, “being aware of the radiation safety arrangements at my work”, “understanding the meaning of radiation safety culture”, “understanding the warning signs concerning radiation while working in the control area”, “knowing the meaning of warning signs regarding radiation safety”, “knowing how to report abnormal events in radiation use”, “knowing how to properly use personal radiation protection equipment”, “understanding the principle of dose limitation in radiation protection”, “knowing how ionizing radiation is produced”, “know how the harmful effects of medical radiation are caused”, and “knowing how to document all the essential information concerning the use of radiation”; however, the awareness rates of “knowing how to account for differences between adult and child/adolescent patients in radiological examinations” and “understanding the meaning of the inverse square law in radiation protection” were very low. <b>Conclusion</b> The overall awareness of ionizing radiation safety and protection knowledge remains unsatisfactory among clinical healthcare professionals. The training on ionizing radiation safety and protection knowledge requires to be improved, and the radiation protection skills are recommended to be increased.
ABSTRACT
Objective To measure the peripheral dose distributions of the mobile head cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and evaluate the impact of CBCT on the surrounding personnel and environment, and provide data support for clinical radiation protection management. Methods Combined with the structural characteristics of CBCT, AT1123 was used in the direction of 0° (counterclockwise), 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270° and 315° in front of CBCT to measure the ambient dose equivalent rate of 30 cm, 80 cm and 130 cm away from the ground when the equipment was normally out of the beam, and the boundary of the temporary control area was drawn. At the same time, the dose level behind the lead screen 1 m away from the external surface of the equipment was measured and analyzed. Results The dose field around CBCT was symmetrically distributed with the dividing line of 0° and 180°, and the radiation dose level of 5.5 m in the direction of 0°, 3.5 m in the direction of 45°, 0.5 m in the direction of 90° and within 1.0 m in the direction of 180° (inside the "spoon" type) was higher than 2.5 μSv/h. The radiation dose levels of CT aperture 0° (straight forward), 45° and 315° behind the lead screen 1 m away from the equipment surface were 0.37 μSv/h, 0.22 μSv/h and 0.54 μSv/h, respectively. Conclusion The results show that the radiation dose around the mobile head cone beam CT is in a low dose level, the distribution of the dose field can provide necessary reference for the administrative and medical personnel to strengthen the radiation safety management. At the same time, it is suggested that lead screens should be set up in the clinical use of mobile CT to ensure the health and safety of the surrounding people and the environment.
ABSTRACT
Transport monitoring is an important link in the transport process of radioactive materials, involving the whole process, that is, before departure, during transportation and after arrival. To do well in transport monitoring, radiation monitoring organizations need to actively participate in the work, and also need to do a good job in the supervision of radioactive materials transport monitoring. Beijing is one of the radioactive materials distribution centers in China, the monitoring workload is large, the number of monitoring reports is large, the number of packages by air transportation is relatively large, and the transportation and monitoring for medical use is dominant. Through the introduction of radioactive materials transportation monitoring work, and analysis of 2006—2020 radioactive materials transportation monitoring situation, this paper discusses the problems that need to be paid attention to in the monitoring work and the ways to deal with them, so as to provide ideas for radiation monitoring organizations to carry out monitoring work and manage the transport of radioactive materials well.
ABSTRACT
CT is an important imaging tool for the diagnosis of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), therefore, it′s necessary to strictly control the disinfection of CT workplace and equipment and biosafety to avoid the place from becoming a potential infection source and to reduce the risk of infection of patients and radiological staff. It is also necessary to reduce the CT scan dose to minimize the radiation hazards on patients under the premise of ensuring the CT image quality and diagnostic efficiency. Based on the survey that novel coronavirus residues after disinfection at some CT workplace in domestic and overseas and the application of low-dose CT scan in diagnosis of COVID-19, as well as the current situation of radiological protection management in emergency hospital, this paper summarizes and proposes suggestions on infection control and radiological protection for CT workplace to strengthen the defense line of COVID-19 prevention and control.
ABSTRACT
Objetivos: Mensurar los niveles de radiación de fuga y dispersión emanada a través de los blindajes y estructuras plomadas del tubo de rayos X de la unidad dental portátil NOMAD, controlando la retrodispersión con el uso del escudo protector de acrílico plomado adaptado en el extremo final del tubo localizador plomado. Se midieron las tasas de exposición dispersadas mediante un detector tipo Geiger-Müller y una cámara de ionización con respuesta en el rango de energías aportadas en diagnóstico por imágenes para la medición de la exposición directa y determinación posterior de las dosis. Se utilizó un fantomas diseñado para diagnóstico odontológico, sopesando la radiación en diferentes angulaciones de operación del equipo NOMAD, simulando los gestos posturales de odontólogos, radiólogos y sujetos a identificar. Se controlaron las tasas de exposición para determinar los valores de las dosis aportadas en las zonas significativas corporales más radiosensibles del operador del equipo. Se obtuvo como resultado que la retrodispersión en el cristalino del ojo del operador fue significativamente menor cuando el fantomas estaba acostado, mientras que a nivel de gónadas resultó más baja con el cuerpo sentado. La tasa de dosis máxima de radiación dispersa que impactó en los operadores fue de 350.8 micro Sieverts por hora (uSv/h) en la zona de gónadas, por cada radiografía tomada sin el uso del delantal de goma plomada, reduciéndose a 4.38 micro Sieverts por hora (uSv/h) al utilizarlo (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Radiography, Dental/methods , Technology, Dental , Dental Equipment , Forensic Dentistry , Patients , Argentina , Radiation Dosage , Radiation Protection , Scattering, Radiation , Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Victims Identification , Radiation Exposure Control , Equipment DesignABSTRACT
This review summarizes the basic situation and characteristics of nuclear technology utilization and radiation safety supervision in Sichuan Province, analyzed the main problems of radiation safety supervision, put forward the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions, and provided reference for improving the radiation safety supervision ability of the whole province.
ABSTRACT
Radiology is one the key cornerstone of investigation in Dentistry. The application of radiology in Dental practice has grown by leaps and bounds in the years gone by. Along with this there is an increase in the number of radiation hazards. The effect of radiation on human beings is very negative. This survey was conducted with the intent of studying the awareness and knowledge of radiation protection in practice. The survey consisted of 10 closed ended questions which were circulated among 100 interns of a dental college. The data collected was entered into microsoft excel and the data was analysed for an association between the gender and the responses using Chi-square analysis. The majority of the participants were females and they believed that radiation causes harm to humans and surprisingly they had also believed that ionised radiation remains suspended in the air after making a radiographic exposure where there was no statistically significant difference between the genders(p>0.05). The questions also assessed whether a clinical examination is advised before a radiographic examination and the majority were of the view it is necessary which was statistically significant(p<0.05). From this study we could infer that students are well aware of the adverse effects of radiation but in terms of safety practices being followed in Dental clinics, there are some pitfalls noticeable.
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the status and uses of the National Radiation Safety Management System of Nuclear Technology Utilization ( NRSMS) and the purpose and significance of radioactive source safety oversight informatization. The emphasis is on the analysis of the current status, the summary of accomplishments and the identification of potential problems. It concluded with providing possible suggestions about radioactive source safety oversight informatization in China for use as reference for the management of radioactive source safety in China.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Different angiographic protocols may influence the radiation dose and image quality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of filtration and focal spot size on radiation dose and image quality for diagnostic cerebral angiography using an in-vitro model and in-vivo patient groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiation dose and image quality were analyzed by varying the filtration and focal spot size on digital subtraction angiography exposure protocols (1, inherent filtration + large focus; 2, inherent + small; 3, copper + large; 4, copper + small). For the in-vitro analysis, a phantom was used for comparison of radiation dose. For the in-vivo analysis, bilateral paired injections, and patient cohort groups were compared for radiation dose and image quality. Image quality analysis was performed in terms of contrast, sharpness, noise, and overall quality. RESULTS: In the in-vitro analysis, the mean air kerma (AK) and dose area product (DAP)/frame were significantly lower with added copper filtration (protocols 3 and 4). In the in-vivo bilateral paired injections, AK and DAP/frame were significantly lower with filtration, without significant difference in image quality. The patient cohort groups with added filtration (protocols 3 and 4) showed significant reduction of total AK and DAP/patient without compromise to the image quality. Variations in focal spot size showed no significant differences in radiation dose and image quality. CONCLUSION: Addition of filtration for angiographic exposure studies can result in significant total radiation dose reduction without loss of image quality. Focal spot size does not influence radiation dose and image quality. The routine angiographic protocol should be judiciously investigated and implemented.
Subject(s)
Humans , Angiography, Digital Subtraction , Cerebral Angiography , Cohort Studies , Copper , Filtration , Noise , Radiation ExposureABSTRACT
Since the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011, radiation safety has become an important issue in nuclear medicine. Many structured guidelines or recommendations of various academic societies or international campaigns demonstrate important issues of radiation safety in nuclear medicine procedures. There are ongoing efforts to fulfill the basic principles of radiation protection in daily nuclear medicine practice. This article reviews important principles of radiation protection in nuclear medicine procedures. Useful references, important issues, future perspectives of the optimization of nuclear medicine procedures, and diagnostic reference level are also discussed.
Subject(s)
Disasters , Nuclear Medicine , Nuclear Power Plants , Radiation ProtectionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: C-arm fluoroscopy equipment is important for interventional pain management and can cause radiation injury to physicians and patients. We compared radiation safety education and efforts to reduce the radiation exposure of pain specialists. METHODS: A survey of 49 pain specialists was conducted anonymously in 2016. The questionnaire had 16 questions. That questionnaire was about radiation safety knowledge and efforts to reduce exposure. We investigated the correlation between radiation safety education and efforts of radiation protection. We compared the results from 2016 and a published survey from 2011. RESULTS: According to the 2016 survey, all respondents used C-arm fluoroscopy in pain interventions. Nineteen respondents (39%) had received radiation safety education. Physicians had insufficient knowledge about radiation safety. When the radiation safety education group and the non-education group are compared, there was no significant difference in efforts to reduce radiation exposure and radiation safety knowledge. When the 2011 and 2016 surveys were compared, the use of low dose mode (P = 0.000) and pulsed mode had increased significantly (P = 0.001). The number checking for damage to radiation protective garments (P = 0.000) and use of the dosimeter had also increased significantly (P = 0.009). But there was no significant difference in other efforts to reduce radiation exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Pain physicians seem to lack knowledge of radiation safety and the number of physicians receiving radiation safety education is low. According to this study, education does not lead to practice. Therefore, pain physicians should receive regular radiation safety education and the education should be mandatory.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anonyms and Pseudonyms , Clothing , Education , Fluoroscopy , Pain Management , Radiation Exposure , Radiation Injuries , Radiation Protection , Specialization , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
C-arm fluoroscopy is important device for pain management. However, pain physicians can be exposed to radiation during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided interventions. In the annual maximal permissible radiation doses, the dose of lens is lower than the doses of the thyroid and gonads. In the human body, the lens of eye is one of the most sensitive parts for radiation exposure. Cataract or opacity of lens is the most common complication of eye related to radiation. Several years ago, the threshold dose of a radiation induced cataract was changed to 0.5 Gy. In 2011, International Commission on Radiological Protection reduced the annual permissible radiation dose for the lens from 150 mSv to 20 mSv. According to the lower level of permissible radiation dose for lens, physicians should reduce their radiation exposure. This review presents the complications of the lens related to radiation exposure, permissible doses for the lens, radiation exposure of physicians, protective devices for the lens, and methods for radiation safety.
Subject(s)
Cataract , Fluoroscopy , Gonads , Human Body , Pain Management , Protective Devices , Radiation Exposure , Thyroid GlandABSTRACT
C-arm fluoroscopy is important device for pain management. However, pain physicians can be exposed to radiation during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided interventions. In the annual maximal permissible radiation doses, the dose of lens is lower than the doses of the thyroid and gonads. In the human body, the lens of eye is one of the most sensitive parts for radiation exposure. Cataract or opacity of lens is the most common complication of eye related to radiation. Several years ago, the threshold dose of a radiation induced cataract was changed to 0.5 Gy. In 2011, International Commission on Radiological Protection reduced the annual permissible radiation dose for the lens from 150 mSv to 20 mSv. According to the lower level of permissible radiation dose for lens, physicians should reduce their radiation exposure. This review presents the complications of the lens related to radiation exposure, permissible doses for the lens, radiation exposure of physicians, protective devices for the lens, and methods for radiation safety.