Browsing by Author "Muller, Martin Carel"

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    A survey of radiation protective equipment compliance amongst physicians performing fluoroscopy at Tygerberg Hospital
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Muller, Martin Carel; Meintjes, Willem Albertus Jacobus; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Health Systems and Public Health.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: A high level of radiation protection equipment compliance is essential to protect physicians against ionizing radiation exposure. Initially, the majority of fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures were performed by radiologists, subsequently there have been a steady increase in physicians from other specialties employing procedural fluoroscopy. Compliance with the use of radiation protective equipment varies considerably in practise. Likely reasons could be differences in radiation safety training, variation in radiation safety knowledge and attitudes and practices inherent to different specialties. To better understand compliance with radiation protection equipment, the knowledge, attitudes, and usage patterns amongst exposed workers need critical examination. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine factors associated with a low level of radiation protection equipment compliance amongst physicians performing fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to eligible subjects. Questions explored the following domains: demographic variables, radiation safety knowledge, attitudes towards radiation safety and practices associated with radiation protection equipment. Results: The proportion of subjects reporting compliant use of radiation protection equipment items were as follows: 8.4% for lead caps, 16.9% for eyewear, 3.3% for lead gloves, 56% for thyroid shields and 89.8% for lead aprons. For cap usage a low radiation safety knowledge level (OR=11.3, 95%CI=1.3-95.8; p = 0,049) and not supplying the item (OR = 5.8, 95%CI=1.1-30.2; p = 0,023) were associated with low compliance levels. Female gender (OR=5.1, 95%CI=1.2-21.9 p=0.028); radiology practice (OR=15.6, 95%CI=2.9-85.2; p=0,001); not supplying orthopods with eyewear (OR=22.5, 95%CI=2.7-189 p < 0,001) and less than 5 years of experience performing fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures (OR=8.1, 95%CI=1.8-36.5; p = 0.005) were identified as risk factors for low compliance with eyewear usage. Practising as an orthopod (OR=0.2, 95%CI=0-0.9 p=0.023) was identified as a protective factor against low compliance for eyewear. For thyroid shields female gender (OR=14.3, 95%CI=1.7-119.1; p = 0.003); not supplying orthopods with shields (OR=4.9, 95%CI=1.5-16.2, p < 0,001) and less than 5 years of experience performing fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures (OR=26.6, 95%CI=3.2-219.6, p < 0.001) were identified as risk factors. Practising as an orthopod (OR=0.1, 95%CI=0-0.3, p < 0.001) was identified as a protective factor against low compliance. No statistically significant associations were observed for low compliance in lead apron usage. Physicians with a low radiation safety knowledge of <40% (OR=11.3, 95%CI=1.3-95.8, p = 0.049) were 11.3 times more likely to be non-compliant with lead glove usage. Conclusions: The level of radiation protection equipment usage amongst the study population is far from desirable. Significant variation exists amongst subjects’ knowledge of radiation safety. Agreeable attitudes towards radiation safety practice were universally reported by subjects. Providing radiation protection equipment that fits the user is critical in addressing low compliance levels going forward.