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Japanese Journal of Radiology

06-05-2024 | Radiation Protection | Original Article

Occupational radiation exposure among medical personnel in university and general hospitals in Japan

Authors: Arman Nessipkhan, Naoki Matsuda, Noboru Takamura, Noboru Oriuchi, Hiroshi Ito, Masao Kiguchi, Kiyoto Nishihara, Takayuki Tamaru, Kazuo Awai, Takashi Kudo

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology

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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to compare the occupational radiation exposure of medical workers between general hospitals and university hospitals.

Methods

Radiation exposure data from three hospitals in Hiroshima city, including one university hospital and two general hospitals, were collected using personal dosimeters. Monthly radiation doses were analyzed, and the annual sum of radiation exposure dose was calculated for 538 subjects in general hospitals and 1224 subjects in the university hospital. To assess the impact of locality, additional data from Nagasaki University Hospital and Fukushima Medical University Hospital were included for comparative analysis. Professional affiliations, such as doctors, nurses, and radiological technologists, were considered in the evaluation.

Results

The study revealed slight but significant differences in radiation doses between general and university hospitals. In general hospitals, except for radiological technologists, a slightly higher radiation dose was observed compared to university hospitals. Despite the annual increase in the use of medical radiation, the majority of hospital workers in both settings adhered to safety guidelines, with occupational radiation exposure remaining below the limit of detection (LOD). Workers who involved in fluoroscopic procedure, whether at university or general hospitals, had higher radiation doses than those who did not.

Conclusion

The study's primary conclusion is that workers in general hospitals experience a slight but significantly higher radiation dose and a lower percentage below the LOD compared to university hospitals. The observed difference is attributed to the greater workload at general hospitals than at university hospitals, and also may be due to the different nature of university hospital and general hospital. University hospitals, characterized by greater academic orientation, tend to benefit from comprehensive support systems, specialized expertise, and advanced technology, leading to more structured and regulated radiation control. These findings provide a basis for targeted interventions, improved safety protocols.
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Metadata
Title
Occupational radiation exposure among medical personnel in university and general hospitals in Japan
Authors
Arman Nessipkhan
Naoki Matsuda
Noboru Takamura
Noboru Oriuchi
Hiroshi Ito
Masao Kiguchi
Kiyoto Nishihara
Takayuki Tamaru
Kazuo Awai
Takashi Kudo
Publication date
06-05-2024
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Published in
Japanese Journal of Radiology
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-024-01579-3