Radiation safety education reduces the incidence of adult fingers on neonatal chest radiographs.
A previous audit revealed a high frequency of adult fingers visualised on neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) chest radiographs-representing an example of inappropriate occupational radiation exposure. Radiation safety education was provided to staff and we hypothesised that the education would reduce the frequency of adult fingers visualised on NICU chest radiographs. Two cross-sectional samples taken before and after the administration of the education were compared. We examined fingers visualised directly in the beam, fingers in the direct beam but eliminated by technologists editing the image, and fingers under the cones of the portable x-ray machine. There was a 46.2% reduction in fingers directly in the beam, 50.0% reduction in fingers directly in the beam but cropped out, and 68.4% reduction in fingers in the coned area. There was a 57.1% overall reduction in adult fingers visualised, which was statistically significant (Z value - 7.48, P < 0.0001). This study supports radiation safety education in minimising inappropriate occupational radiation exposure.
Department of Medical Imaging, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0W8, Canada.
N
N
Sahota
B E
BE
Burbridge
M D
MD
Duncan
D001822:Body Burden; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000193:education*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017751:Safety Management; D012525:Saskatchewan; D055815:Young Adult