Abstract
Background
There are concerns that emergency health care workers are exposed to ionizing radiation
as the result of frequent portable radiographs obtained in the emergency department
(ED) during active patient care.
Objective
Our aim was to investigate whether ED staff are exposed to significant radiation due
to scatter from portable radiography at a busy trauma center and whether exposure
was related to factors such as location or distance.
Methods
This was a prospective cohort study performed during 3 consecutive months in the ED
at a large, academic trauma center. Volunteer attendings, nurses, and resident physicians
were asked to wear dosimeter badges during their shifts throughout the study period.
Twelve stationary dosimeters were placed in selected locations in the ED, particularly
in the resuscitation rooms, where most of the portable radiographs were obtained.
Results
During the 3-month study period, 1464 portable radiographs were obtained in the resuscitation
rooms in the ED, mostly chest and pelvic radiographs. Analysis from stationary dosimeters
placed in the ED showed a median of 0.18 mSv (95% CI 0.16–0.22 mSv) for the main resuscitation
room and 0 mSv for other critical care patient rooms. Analysis of dosimeters worn
by staff showed no measurable radiation exposure (0.00 mSv).
Conclusions
The level of radiation exposure to ED staff found in this study was well below the
recommended allowable occupational exposure of 50 mSv/y. Radiation exposure is not
a significant occupational hazard in a busy ED level I trauma center. Existing precautions
should adequately protect staff from occupational exposure, and use of further protective
gear, or the need for individual monitoring using dosimeters, appears unwarranted.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 12, 2022
Accepted:
August 4,
2022
Received in revised form:
July 1,
2022
Received:
March 27,
2022
Footnotes
Presented at the Fourth Mediterranean Emergency Medicine Congress Annual Meeting, October 1, 2007.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
