Radiation Exposure to Staff in Intensive Care Unit with Portable CT Scanner.

Zhichao Xie,Jiangqian Zhang,Yan Kang,Lingli Jia,Xuelian Liao

doi:10.1155/2016/5656480

Zhichao Xie, Jiangqian Zhang + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5656480

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Abstract

Background. Bedside radiological procedures pose a risk of radiation exposure to ICU staff. The perception of risk may increase the degree of caution among the health care staff and raise new barriers preventing patients from obtaining prompt care. Objective. The aim of this study was to estimate the annual cumulative radiation dose to individual ICU staff. Methods. In this prospective study, forty subjects were required to wear thermoluminescent dosimeter badges during their working hours. The badges were analyzed to determine the exposure after 3 months. Results. A total of 802 radiological procedures were completed at bedside during the study period. The estimated annual dosage to doctors and nurses on average was 0.99 mSv and 0.88 mSv (p < 0.001), respectively. Residents were subjected to the highest radiation exposure (1.04 mSv per year, p = 0.002). The radiation dose was correlated with day shift working hours (r = 0.426; p = 0.006) and length of service (r = −0.403; p < 0.01). Conclusions. With standard precautions, bedside radiological procedures—including portable CT scans—do not expose ICU staff to high dose of ionizing radiation. The level of radiation exposure is related to the daytime working hours and length of service.

Highlights

Radiological procedures have become an important part of the management of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit
The risk of cumulative radiation dose is a cause for concern among the ICU staff, especially with the increasing popularity of bedside CT scans in ICU wards
The objective of this study was to estimate the annual cumulative radiation dose received by ICU staff where bedside CT scan is available

Summary

Introduction

Radiological procedures have become an important part of the management of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. The procedures are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, such as assessing the condition of heart, lung, or brain, and confirming the position of devices such as endotracheal tubes and central venous catheters They are often performed at the bedside because transportation can be hazardous for critically ill patients [1]. The ionizing radiation from bedside radiological procedures poses a risk of radiation exposure to ICU personnel. The risk of cumulative radiation dose is a cause for concern among the ICU staff, especially with the increasing popularity of bedside CT scans in ICU wards. Bedside radiological procedures pose a risk of radiation exposure to ICU staff. The aim of this study was to estimate the annual cumulative radiation dose to individual ICU staff. Bedside radiological procedures—including portable CT scans—do not expose ICU staff to high dose of ionizing radiation. The level of radiation exposure is related to the daytime working hours and length of service

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Discussion

Conclusion