Understanding radiological protection systems among diagnostic radiology facilities in Mumbai, India

Abstract

This study aims to understand radiological protection systems in diagnostic radiology practices among 30 diagnostic radiology facilities in Mumbai, India. It assesses the status of radiological protection systems in the facilities, continuous professional development (CPD) of workers and their risky working behaviour and perceptions using a semi-structured questionnaire. Then, we examine the perceptions of workers when they were working in facilities without proper protection systems. We also, attempt to understand the reasons why workers engage in risky behaviour despite the availability of protective systems. In doing so, we examine the influence of CPD on their work behaviour. The study observed that about 20% of the diagnostic radiology facilities in Mumbai had lack of implementation of the regulatory requirements and establishment of radiological protection systems. Obviously, it is expected that the workers of regulated facilities would comply with regulatory requirements, and their working behaviour would be better than those of their counterparts of unregulated facilities would. However, our study observes that some workers in the regulated practices also indulge in risky working behaviour. About 30% of workers were not using personal monitoring device during work procedures. Although lead aprons were available in the facilities, about 51% of workers were not wearing it wherever required. It was observed that about 10% of workers engaged in the activities like opening the door during radiation exposure, chatting with others on mobile phone during procedure and not checking collimator light before radiation exposure etc. The factors that contributed to workers’ engagement in risky work behaviour are the non-availability of protection systems, lack of exposure to CPD, low-risk perception of workers and dearth of communication between institutes and regulator.