A cross-sectional study based on the assessment of the radiation dose for medical radiation workers

Abstract

Background: A monitoring for radiological technologists and radiation workers must be implemented to ensure the radiation safety. Aims: The aim of our study was to measure the occupational radiation dose for medical workers from the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Nuclear Medicine, Dental Services, Endoscopy, and Surgery at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted at KAMC, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Across-sectional study and a suitably and structured questionnaire was adapted from the previous similar studies and monitored radiation doses designed in line with the study's objectives were collected among the different medical workers. A total of 223 medical radiation workers were involved in this study, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: It is noted that the diagnostic radiology department recorded the highest value of effective dose followed by cardiac catheterization laboratory and nuclear medicine and so on. The measured amount of effective dose for diagnostic radiology, cardiac catheterization laboratory, nuclear medicine, dental services, endoscopy, and surgery at KAMC was found to be 14.35, 5.23, 4.56, 3.88, 3.52, and 1.87 mSv, respectively. Conclusions: This study provide an evidence that the occupational radiation dose for all the monitored departments at KAMC are well below the international recommended dose limit (20 mSv).