Comparison of radiation exposure by area before and after emergency center remodeling

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
²Department of Emergency Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
³Gyeongsang Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea

Correspondence

Sang Bong Lee ,Tel: 055-750-8284, Fax: 055-757-0514, Email: bong3131@hanmail.net,

Received: April 30, 2019; Revised: May 28, 2019 Accepted: June 10, 2019. Published online: October 31, 2019.

ABSTRACT

Objective:
Radiation is used extensively in emergency centers. Computed tomography and X-ray imaging are used frequently. Portable X-rays, in particular, cause a significant amount of indirect radiation exposure to medical personnel. The authors’ emergency center was remodeled, and a comparative study of radiation exposure was carried out in certain places that had experienced radiation for a long time.
Method:
The cumulative radiation dose was measured 20 times in the 24 hours prior to remodeling, and the cumulative radiation dose was measured again 20 times across the 24-hour period. The measurement points were fixed at the emergency doctor’s seat (Zone A), charge nurse’s seat (Zone B), and section nurse’s seat (Zone C). During the 24-hour cumulative radiation measurement period, the number of portable X-ray shots was recorded in the emergency center.
Results:
The mean of the 24-hour cumulative radiation measurements in zone A was 3.36±0.07 μSV and 4.54±0.07 μSV before and after remodeling, respectively (P<0.001). Regarding the number of portable X-rays performed during the measurement, a higher number of trials in the Pearson correction correlated with a higher radiation measurement.
Conclusion:
In an emergency medical center, there is a higher level of low-dose radiation exposure compared to that experienced from natural radioactivity. Regarding the number of portable X-rays, the cumulative radiation dose measured 24 hours after remodeling increased and can be assumed to be related to the environment.

Key words: X-rays; Low dose radiation; Emergency center