Mohammad Rasoul Tohidniya, Fatemeh Amiri, Karim Khoshgard, Zeinab Hormozi Moghadam,
Volume 10, Issue 6 (3-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: More than 80% of patients need to take x-rays during their diagnosis and treatment stages. Due to the biological effects of ionizing radiation, observance of radiation protection principles are necessary. The observance of radiation protection principles in intensive care units at Imam Reza hospital of Kermanshah in 2014 was evaluated in this study.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study which was performed by census method, performance of 38 radiographers working in target center was investigated regarding the following of the principles of radiation protection in respect of patients, nurses, radiographers, and other clients in intensive care units. Data collection tool included a questionnaire and a checklist of 31 principles of radiation protection.
Results: The overall level of observance of radiation protection principles in intensive care units was at an appropriate level (94.7%) in 36 radiographies. The highest and lowest levels of principle observance of radiographers were in respect to themselves (94.7%) and nurses in the intensive care units and other clients (26.3%), respectively.
Conclusion: According to results in this study, radiation protection principles observance by radiographers during portable radiography examinations respect of themselves is appropriate but respect of other nurses is not satisfactory. It seems that it can be improved to 100% of the optimum level by equipping intensive care units to protective equipment, setting some obligations to use them, and controlling and continuous monitoring of protective measures of radiographers.
Hassan Zarghani, Masoud Jabbari, Sajjad Pandesh,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: X-ray radiation, besides its useful applications in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, also has harmful effects. With the increasing demand for various radiographs and X-ray imaging, radiation protection for radiographers is of particular importance. In this regard, a study was conducted to examine the level of awareness, attitude, and performance of radiographers in Iran with regards to the effects of ionizing radiation and protective methods against them.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, based on a census, the awareness, attitude, and performance of radiographers in 52 cities in Iran were examined by using a questionnaire. Data from 847 radiographers were collected. Finally, the data were analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance through SPSS statistical software.
Results: Out of the total distributed questionnaires (748 items), 531 questionnaires were completely filled by radiation workers. In the present study, 46% were male and 53% were female, with average scores related to the awareness, attitude, and performance of radiographers in the field of radiation protection being 59.9, 69.4, and 43.54, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between the awareness levels of individuals who had undergone refresher training (24.3%) and those who had not. Radiographers’ knowledge of specialized information such as the principle of As Low as Reasonably Available (ALARA) (68.5%), Bucky factor (65.5%), and heel effect (61%), alongside the relationship between source-to-skin distance and radiation intensity (71%), was at a moderate level.
Conclusion: The poor performance of radiologists in this study is not solely attributed to functional deficiencies but sometimes also involves the institutionalization of incorrect principles. These weaknesses and shortcomings are undoubtedly the result of inadequate supervision and erroneous modeling over a long period. If not addressed, they will undoubtedly have irreparable destructive consequences in the future, especially with the increasing advancement of diagnostic radiology methods.
