[Improved Protective Equipment for NICU Portable Radiography]

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiological Sciences
• Occupational Health

Context:

• Portable radiography in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) poses radiation exposure risks to nurses due to the proximity of X-ray tubes.
• Previous protective equipment designs were effective but hindered patient visibility and maneuverability.

Purpose:

• To develop and evaluate new, improved protective devices for portable X-ray equipment used in NICUs.
• To enhance radiation shielding for healthcare professionals without compromising patient care or device usability.

Summary:

• Two new protective devices (narrow and wide types) were developed, designed to be attached to mobile X-ray equipment collimators.
• The wide type achieved 80.6% protective effectiveness at head height, while the narrow type achieved 76.8%.
• Both devices were found to be easy to handle and adjust, with no significant differences in patient visibility or obstruction reported by nurses.

Impact:

• The new protective devices offer a practical solution to reduce occupational radiation exposure for nurses in NICUs.
• The preferred wider type provides superior protection while maintaining ease of use and visibility.
• These devices are expected to enhance safety and efficiency in clinical radiological practices.