Anesthesiologist Knowledge on Radiation Safety in Northern Gauteng Hospitals, South Africa

Abstract

Researchers observed that anesthesiologists were not practicing basic radiation safety precautions during fluoroscopic procedures. Anesthesiologists were not wearing lead aprons, thyroid shields, or dosimeters during fluoroscopy procedures. Anesthesiologists work in theaters where fluoroscopy procedures are performed. During fluoroscopy, ionizing radiation is used to generate images of internal structures. Ionizing radiation cannot be seen and has no smell but can potentially cause genetic mutation. Therefore, these professionals are exposed to the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Similar findings have been described for orthopedic surgeons and nurses in South Africa. In this study, we investigated anesthesiologists' level of knowledge of ionizing radiation by describing anesthesiologists’ compliance to radiation safety measures and then got input on what can be carried out to improve their radiation safety. We used a quantitative research approach using a cross-sectional descriptive design. The questionnaires were hand-delivered to purposively selected participants and collected immediately after they were completed. Data were analyzed using software STATA 14 (StataCorp LLC, Texas, USA). Anesthesiologists had inadequate skills on radiation safety precautions, with a subsequent lack of compliance. Anesthesiologists were not compliant with the standard guidelines on radiation safety. 82% (22/27) of both registrar and consultant anesthesiologists did not wear a dosimeter (a registrar is a doctor who is working under supervision and is performing duties as a trainee to qualify as a consultant in a specialized field, whereas a consultant is a medical doctor who has completed all their training, has a registered specialist qualification, and has then been appointed to a consultant post in a specialized field in medicine). None of the registrar anesthesiologists wore dosimeters. There were also limited radiation safety devices, including dosimeters provided at the hospitals where they were working. In conclusion, there is a need to improve anesthesiologists’ knowledge on radiation safety precautions.