Risk of Radiation Exposure to Emergency Department Personnel From Portable Radiographs

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Occupational Health
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Concerns exist regarding ionizing radiation exposure for emergency health care workers due to frequent portable radiographs during patient care.
• Portable radiography in emergency departments (EDs) raises questions about potential scatter radiation risks to staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess significant radiation exposure to ED staff from portable radiography scatter at a major trauma center.
• To determine if radiation exposure is influenced by staff location or distance from the radiography source.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study conducted over three months in a busy academic trauma center's ED.
• Volunteer staff (physicians, nurses) wore dosimeter badges; stationary dosimeters were placed in critical care areas.
• 1464 portable radiographs were analyzed for radiation scatter and staff exposure levels.

Main Results:

• Stationary dosimeters recorded a median of 0.18 mSv in the main resuscitation room and 0 mSv elsewhere.
• Dosimeters worn by staff showed no measurable radiation exposure (0.00 mSv).
• Radiation levels were significantly below the occupational exposure limit of 50 mSv/year.

Conclusions:

• Radiation exposure to ED staff from portable radiography is not a significant occupational hazard.
• Existing safety precautions are sufficient to protect staff in a busy Level I trauma center.
• Individual dosimeter monitoring and additional protective gear are likely unnecessary for ED staff.