Radiation exposure of emergency physicians.
Radiation exposure was prospectively measured using film dosimeters worn at the lapel and dominant wrist for up to three two-month intervals in 18 emergency physicians and residents, and was compared to that received by 18 radiology technicians and 18 first-year house staff during similar periods. While all levels were well below maximum permissible doses for occupational exposure, the mean lapel exposures for a two-month period were 14 mrem for the emergency physicians, 26 mrem for radiology technicians, and 7 mrem for the house staff. The difference between the latter two was statistically significant. At the wrist, emergency physicians had a mean of 43 mrem; radiology technicians, 25 mrem; and house staff, 5 mrem. The difference between the first and third groups was statistically significant. No correlation between number of exposures and exposure levels could be detected because of variation in use of protective garments, distance from the beam, and type of exposure. Procedures requiring personnel exposure include those of small children, stress views of the extremities, and studies in the multiply traumatized patient.
D004635:Emergency Medicine; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005373:Film Dosimetry; D006801:Humans; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011827:Radiation; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012306:Risk