Assessing the Safety and Health Standards in Diagnostic Radiology Centers in Hamadan Province

Abstract

Providing safety and health criteria is a very important part of the management of all diagnostic radiography centers. The prime aim of this study was to assess the safety and health standards of diagnostic radiology centers in Hamadan Province. This descriptive study that was performed in 22 imaging institutes, 21 hospitals, 1 faculty and 8healthcare centers (governmental and non-governmental) in Hamadan Province, Iran were selected. All of the X-ray radiography units (including the CT. Scan, panorex, mammography, simple radiography and portable X-Ray units) were evaluated in terms of physical status, radiation protection principals, health criteria and current condition according to the national performed standards of Ministry of Health and Atomic Energy Organization checklists. The findings showed that 106 x-ray units activated in 52 medical imaging centers in this city covering about 1.9 million people. Among 106 x-ray units, 49 were located in hospital wards and 57 were located in the other institutes in 9 townships. 36% of darkrooms, 68% of radiation rooms and 66% of control rooms were suitable in terms of physical status. 57% of health criteria factors had standard condition. Regarding to radiation protection term, the situation was unfavorable in comparison with physical status and health criteria, especially in the application of portable X-ray devices in the various wards of the hospitals. Radiology wards in Hamadan Province had obvious problems in the radiation protection principals; they need better management and maintenance to achieve the standards conditions in terms of safety and health.

Keywords: Radiology, Safety, Health, Standards