Operating room radiation safety measures: Awareness, compliance, and perceived risks among nurses and other healthcare workers.

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluates and compares nurses' and other healthcare workers' awareness of and compliance with radiation protection measures in operating rooms and their perceived susceptibility to occupational illness due to radiation exposure.

Background: Compliance with radiation safety measures minimises occupational radiation exposure risks. Understanding the role of perceived susceptibility to occupational illness in motivating compliance and awareness can enhance safety interventions.

Methods: Using a questionnaire-based cross-sectional observational design, this study targeted nurses, physicians, and radiologic technologists working in Saudi Arabian operating rooms. The survey measured awareness of and compliance with radiation protection measures and perceived susceptibility to occupational illness. The STROBE checklist was followed to ensure methodological rigour.

Results: Nurses demonstrated the lowest awareness and compliance, and the highest perceived susceptibility to occupational illnesses compared to other healthcare professionals. There was a moderate positive correlation between increased awareness of safety measures and compliance, but a weaker correlation between adherence and perceived risk.

Discussion: Nurses' compliance and awareness did not align with their risk perceptions, suggesting a cognitive-behavioural gap in which stronger risk perceptions among nurses do not lead to proactive protective behaviours. This discrepancy may be attributed to the demanding nature of nursing duties, which often overshadow strict adherence to safety protocols.

Conclusion: The study identified significant disparities in radiation safety practices, with nurses demonstrating less awareness and compliance but higher risk perceptions than other healthcare professionals. Interventions are needed to bridge the gap between perceived risk and actual safety behaviours.

Implications for nursing and health policy: Role-specific training programmes and continuous education are needed to enhance radiation safety practices among nurses. Policies must support these educational efforts, ensuring that nurses can balance patient care responsibilities with radiation protection measures.