J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2019 Oct;30(5):385-392. 10.0000/jksem.2019.30.5.385.

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

• Ahn K
• Lee SB
• Kim DH
• Kim T
• Kang C
• Lee SH
• Jeong JH
• Kim SC
• Park YJ
• Lim D

• KMID: 2470557
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2019.30.5.385

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.
METHODS
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.

Keyword

X-rays; Low dose radiation; Emergency center

MeSH Terms

Emergencies*
Radiation Exposure*
Radioactivity