SIMULATION OF MOBILE X-RAY EXPOSURE TEST ON CHEST X-RAY EXAMINATION AT FATMAWATI HOSPITAL

Abstract

SIMULATION OF MOBILE X-RAY EXPOSURE TEST ON CHEST X-RAY EXAMINATION AT FATMAWATI HOSPITAL. Chest X-ray examinations using mobile X-rays are increasing, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic as an early detection as well as for patient monitoring needs. Radiation safety aspects in chest X-ray examinations using mobile X-rays need to be studied considering that they are generally used in patient inpatient rooms. This study aims to simulate the amount of scattered radiation from a chest X-ray examination using a mobile X-ray to assess the level of radiation safety and the required radiation protection equipment. First, the primary radiation dose was measured to assess the estimated dose received by the patient, then the scattering radiation was measured (maximum dose rate and accumulated dose) using 20 cm PMMA phantom scattering media in various directions at a distance of 1, 2, 3 and 4 m. and with variations without radiation shielding, with 0.5 mm Pb apron radiation protection and with 2 mm Pb mobile shielding. The result of the primary radiation dose is 0.145 ± 0.003 mGy, which is still below the DRL value. While the dose rate analysis results show that up to a distance of 4 m the dose rate value still exceeds the radiation safe limit, a radiation protection is needed in the form of a 0.5 mm Pb apron with a distance of more than 2 m in order to obtain a safe dose rate for the general public. The results of the analysis of the accumulation of scattered doses, the safe distance without using radiation shields is more than equal to 2 m. It is recommended that the patient and staff distance from the mobile X-ray radiation source is at least 2 m and use a radiation protection such as Pb apron or mobile shielding. Keywords: Radiation exposure, Radiation scatter, Dose Rate