Publication: Occupational Radiation Exposure in Health Care Facilities
Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Radiation, which is used extensively to diagnose and treat human diseases, poses
an occupational health risk for the concerned health workers. Personal dosimetry
is an important tool to monitor occupational radiation exposures.
Objective
This study was conducted to reveal and to describe the situation of occupational
radiation exposure monitoring among staffs in different health care facilities in
Nepal.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed among the 35 Health Care Facilities.
Information about types and number of X-ray procedures performed, types and
number of personnel involved, workload and the availability of personal dosimetry
service were collected.
Results
Six Health Care Facilities had personal dosimetry service available for a total of 149
personnel. Of a total of nearly one million X-ray procedures performed in the 35
Health Care Facilities in 2007, 76 % was performed by non-monitored personnel.
The majority of the facilities performing high dose procedures, like catheterisation,
angiography and intestinal barium procedures did not offer personal dosimetry for
the involved personnel.
Conclusion
There are a limited number of personnel being monitored with personal dosimetry.
There are no regulatory dose limits for occupationally exposed staff. Thus, there is
an urgent need to establish a national radiation protection authority to regulate the
use of radiation in Nepal.
KEY WORDS
Dosimetry, monitoring, occupational radiation exposure, radiology, radiotherapy
Description
Bhatt CR,1 Widmark A,2 Shrestha SL,3 Khanal T,4 Ween B5
1Biosphere Impact Studies, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
2Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, P.O. Box 55 1332 Østerås, Norway
Gjøvik University College, P.O. Box 191, 2802 Gjøvik, Norway
Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, G.P.O. 3568 Kathmandu, Nepal
University Hospital of North Norway, P.O. Box 100, 9038 Tromsø, Norway
3Department of Radiology and Imaging, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, G.P.O. 3578, Kathmandu Nepal
4Department of Radiology, Bir Hospital-National Academy of Medical Sciences, Mahaboudha Kathmandu, Nepal
5Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway Division of Diagnostics and Intervention, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway