Exposure of unmonitored workers to ionizing radiation due to portable X-ray machine use and area dose mapping in an emergency department in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah.

Abstract

ObjectivesTo quantify the exposure of unmonitored workers to radiation and perform dose mapping in selected emergency room (ER) department areas during portable X-ray examinations at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah.MethodsThis prospective observational study was conducted over a 3-week period in the ER at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah. In total, 39 unmonitored healthcare workers comprising 18 nurses and 21 respiratory therapists (RTs) were monitored using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters. Additional OSL dosimeters were placed in fixed ER locations to assess scattered radiation in selected areas. Net badge values were obtained after subtracting available baseline or background readings before annualization. Annualization was conducted to allow comparisons with previous studies that reported annual dose estimates.ResultsThe mean estimated annualized worker dose was 0.50 ± 0.21 mSv/year for nurses and 0.40 ± 0.30 mSv/year for RTs, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.51). The mean estimated annualized area dose across the monitored ER locations was 0.70 ± 0.38 mSv/year.ConclusionIn the present study, measurable but modest annualized dose estimates were found in unmonitored workers and similarly low annualized area dose estimates in monitored ER locations. These findings support the value of periodic local dose audits, staff education, reinforcement of safe positioning during portable imaging, and continued monitoring to strengthen radiation protection practice in emergency care settings. These estimates were derived based on a relatively short monitoring period, so they should be interpreted with appropriate caution.