Exposure of health professionals in the emergency department from portable radiography machines: a prospective cohort study
Authors:
Abdulrahman Y. Sabbagh
, Fahad A. Alamri
, Alaa Y. Sabbagh
, Anas A. Khan
, Fouad N. Abogazalah
, Saleh Aloraibi
, Anas S. Banah
, Mohammad Alqahtani
, Sultan O. Aljuaid
, Khalid Alyousef
, Majid Alsalamah
Abstract
Background: Portable radiography machines are excellent diagnostic tools, but prolonged exposure to X-rays can damage tissue. The most severe concerns include increased cancer risk, cataract development, and fetal harm in pregnant workers. This study investigates whether healthcare personnel in the emergency department (ED) are exposed to X-ray ionizing radiation in excess of the National council on radiation protection and measurements limit. Methods: A 5-month prospective cohort study was conducted. The sample population included healthcare professionals in the ED at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia. All physicians and nurses were requested to wear thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) monitors while working in the ED. TLD monitors worn by consultants, residents, and nurses were assessed at the end of the study. Results: Sixty-one participants met the inclusion criteria, and two TLDs served as controls to quantify natural background radiation levels. One of the 61 participants measured 0.1 mSv, and the rest measured lower, indicating that the average radiation dose to health professionals in the ED, such as consultants, residents, and charge nurses, is below 0.1 mSv. A total of 9,327 X-ray examinations were conducted by the participants, most commonly of the chest, followed by the pelvis. Conclusion: Radiation exposure is not a major occupational concern, even during peak ED hours. The degree of radiation exposure measured in this study was far below the minimum permissible exposure level for ED staff. Therefore, additional protective equipment or individual surveillance with dosimeters appears unnecessary.Keywords: Occupational health, health professionals, portable radiography, radiation exposure, environment and public health, accident and emergency department
Pubmed Style
Abdulrahman Y. Sabbagh, Fahad A. Alamri, Alaa Y. Sabbagh, Anas A. Khan, Fouad N. Abogazalah, Saleh Aloraibi, Anas S. Banah, Mohammad Alqahtani, Sultan O. Aljuaid, Khalid Alyousef, Majid Alsalamah. Exposure of health professionals in the emergency department from portable radiography machines: a prospective cohort study. SJE Med. 2023; 23 (August 2023): 080-086. doi:10.24911/SJEMed/72-1683195606
Publication History
Received: May 04, 2023
Accepted: June 30, 2023
Published: August 23, 2023
Authors
Abdulrahman Y. Sabbagh
Emergency Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Second Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fahad A. Alamri
Global Center of Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Family Medicine, Primary Health Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Alaa Y. Sabbagh
Radiodiagnostic and Medical Imaging Department, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Anas A. Khan
Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Fouad N. Abogazalah
Department of Family Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Saleh Aloraibi
College of Health and Medical Schools, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
Anas S. Banah
Emergency Medicine Department, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Alqahtani
Riyadh Third Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sultan O. Aljuaid
King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Alyousef
Department of Emergency Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Majid Alsalamah
Department of Emergency Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia