Occupational and public risks during radiological examinations in intensive Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) of a public hospital in Sergipe

Abstract

The use of portable X rays equipament for medical diagnosis in hospitals is a practice different types of examinationes. The chest radiography is one of the most requested for patients an Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU). At ITU, during X-ray examination, besides the involved technical team, other patients in the room are also exposed to the scatered radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate and to quantify the kerma rates in the air at different distances of the equipment and to evaluate the doses received by the workers and the public individuals presented in the ITU. Besides, safe distances were determined for two radigraphy techniques. Different exams were evaluated and the typical parameters for performing the examination were determined. From that, the kerma  rates were measured in the air using an object abdomen phantom. By the results, it was possible to draw a ITU dose map of a public hospital of Sergipe. The knowledge of the dose maps allows the technical body to execute the radiological procedures in a safer way, minimizing the risks for them and for the general public.