ABSTRACT
Aim: The present study aims to investigate the perceptions of basic life support (BLS), motivations for learning BLS and self-evaluations of the ability to practice BLS skills in radiological technologists clinically working in Mie prefecture, Japan. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 489 radiological technologists (RTs) living in Mie prefecture, Japan, from August to December 2014. The responded questionnaire was collected from 158 RTs (recovery rate: 32%) with written informed consent. Results: Almost one third of the RTs (32.3%) had encountered cardiopulmonary arrest during a radiological examination. The percentage of those who ‘understood’ the purpose and method of BLS reached 71.5%. Approximately half of the respondents considered the ability to practice BLS ‘practicable’, while the remaining half considered it to be ‘difficult’. All RTs knew of the term ‘AED’, and 98.7% ‘understood’ the purpose of AEDs and how to handle them. Similarly, 92.4% of them responded that they were ‘practicable’ to use AEDs. Although sixty percent of RTs had undertaken a BLS training course, only three quarters of them considered themselves ‘practicable’ BLS and 65.6% had no confidence in their BLS skills. Moreover, 39.2% of RTs had not undertaken a BLS training course, and only 9.7% responded ‘practicable’ for practice of BLS among those with training course experience. None of RTs who had not undertaken a BLS training course answered ‘fully confident’ and 95.2% had no or little confidence in their BLS skills. Conclusion: In this study, it is considered that many RTs understand the purpose and handling of AEDs and have the ability to use an AED. The majority of the RTs participating in a BLS training course are ‘practicable’ to practice BLS, though they felt ‘little confidence’ about their BLS skill level. In contrast, the majority of RTs with no experience of attending a BLS training course were not able to practice BLS. Therefore, a BLS training course is very crucial for obtaining the ability to practice BLS, although there is a necessity to improve the content of BLS training course.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and understand the related factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in nurses and radiological technologists wearing a lead apron for radiation protection. METHOD: The study subjects were 192 nurses and radiological technologists who work at the cardiac catheterization room or angioroom in the department of radiology. A self-recording questionnaire was used to investigate the general characteristics, occupational characteristics, characteristics related to wearing a lead apron, and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms designed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). RESULTS: Complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms by NOISH were 51.0% in the upper /lower back, 49.0% in the shoulder, and 47.9% in the leg/knee/ankle. From multiple logistic regression analysis, musculoskeletal symptoms of the shoulder were influenced by two-piece type apron and long time wearing an apron, symptoms of upper/lower back by long time wearing an apron, sex, higher average working hours per a day and short resting time, symptoms of leg/knee/ankle by long time wearing an apron, working career at the present department (cardiac catheterization room or angioroom) and short resting time. CONCLUSION: The complaint rates of the musculoskeletal symptoms were affected by the characteristics of wearing a lead apron for radiation protection such as wearing time and apron type. Therefore, it is suggested that the workers who are wearing an apron need the proper wearingtime and resting time, and suitable apron type and size for the body.