A survey of interventional radiology resources and radiation protection equipment and personal dosimeter wearing rate in Qingdao, China / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the current status of interventional radiology resources, radiation protection equipment, and the rate of wearing of personal dosimeters in Qingdao, China, and to provide a data basis for strengthening radiation protection and health management for interventional radiation workers. Methods A questionnaire survey was performed on all medical institutions with interventional radiation services in Qingdao. The data from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 were pooled and analyzed. Results A total of 31 medical institutions in Qingdao were investigated, including 23 (74.20%) tertiary hospitals and 8 (25.80%) secondary hospitals. There were 88 pieces of interventional radiation equipment in total in Qingdao, 89.77% of which were in tertiary hospitals. A total of 921 interventional professionals participated, with 865 (93.92%) from tertiary hospitals and 56 (6.08%) from secondary hospitals. The mean annual number of visits to interventional services was 5.72 per 1000 people. Among personal protective equipment, the equipment rates of lead-rubber aprons, lead-rubber caps, and lead-rubber collars were highest, all being 100%. The rate of equipment of interventional protective gloves was lowest, which was only 51.61%. The mean number of each accessory protective equipment for each interventional machine was less than 1. The rate of wearing of dual-dosimeters was 84.36%. Conclusion Tertiary hospitals were dominant among the medical institutions in this survey of interventional radiology services in Qingdao. The most frequently equipped personal protective goods were lead-rubber aprons, caps, and collars. The equipment rates of interventional protective gloves and protective accessories and the rate of wearing of dual-dosimeters were relatively low.