Annual radiation dose monitoring for catheterization laboratory operators

Abstract

Monitoring the occupational radiation exposure to the operators is important from the viewpoint of radiation protection and safety. The main purpose of this study is to measure and analyze the annual radiation occupational dose to the operators in a unit of mSv in the Catheterization Laboratory (CL) at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH). This study measured and determined the annual effective dose to the CL operators for Twenty-Three operators at KAUH. Based on the responsibilities and position, the monitored operators were classified into different categories: Staff/Doctors, Nurses, and Technicians. The annual occupational doses were measured using Thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD-100 (LiF: Mg, Ti)) placed at the Thyroid protective collar from the body to measure the individual dose. The calibration procedures and measurements in this study were carried out at the King Abdul-Aziz University Training and Prevention Center of the University of Radiation. The average annual dose to the CL was found to be 0.74, 1.10, 1.13, 0.65, 0.18, and 1.0 mSv for Consultants, Technicians, Nurses, Doctors, Registrar Cardiology, and Trainees respectively. More than 91% of the operators in the CL received radiation doses of less than 2 mSv. High awareness and skills are the reasons for obtaining a very low annual occupational dose in the department of CL at KAUH. The maximum value for the effective dose delivered to the operator is 2.29 mSv, which is much lower than the international dose limit (20 mSv/y) given by the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP).