Radiation safety in an university hospital: Exposure, awereness, knowledge and attitude about radiation protection

Abstract

Objective: Operating room staff expose to ionizing radiation due to widely fluoroscopic procedures. Ionizing radiation has acute and chronic effects like skin burns, cataract and cancer. This study aims to determine the radiation exposure levels, awareness, knowledge and attitudes about radiation protection. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in February-March 2016 via self-structred questionarie. Descriptive statics and chi-square analysis was performed. Results:61.5% of 60 operating room staff participated in study had exposed fluoroscopy procedure during past year exposed fluoroscopy at least once a day. Having education rates of participants about protection from radiation and using fluoroscopy 25.0% and 28.3% respectively. 40.7% of participants had always used radiation protection shields, mostly lead apron (98.2%). The most common cause of not using radiation protection shields was not having sufficient number of the shields(66.7%). 21.7% of participants reported that radiation had no side-effects. Although the hospital had a committee of radiation safety, 80.0% of participants weren't aware about that. 10.0% of partipants knew there were a radiation protection supervisor. There were no association with radiation protection shield usage and profession, working experience, gender, education about fluoroscopy and radiation protection. Conclusion: In-service training about radiation protection and usage of radiation protection shield should be increased.