Health and Safety in Medical Imaging

Öz

Occupational health and safety in medical imaging departments is critically important due to the biological risks posed by ionizing radiation to healthcare workers. International guidelines established by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and national regulations issued by TAEK/TENMAK in Türkiye define dose limits and safety measures to minimize radiation exposure among personnel. Current standards limit the annual effective dose to an average of 20 mSv over five years, with a maximum of 50 mSv allowed in a single year. Fundamental principles of radiation protection—time, distance, and shielding—along with personal dosimetry, appropriate protective equipment, and optimization according to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle form the basis of safe clinical practice. However, studies consistently show significant gaps in healthcare workers’ knowledge of radiation safety, insufficient use of protective gear, and inadequate monitoring of dosimeter results. Furthermore, research highlights that even radiology students and interns often lack sufficient understanding of ALARA and radiation risks, underscoring the need for curriculum reform and continuous professional education. High dose procedures such as interventional radiology continue to pose increased risk due to scattered radiation, requiring advanced shielding strategies and optimized workflows. This study evaluates national and international regulations, reviews current radiation protection practices, and examines the awareness levels of healthcare personnel. The findings emphasize the need for strengthened safety culture, improved training programs, regular monitoring, and updated protocols to enhance the protection of both medical staff and patients in imaging environments.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Radiation exposure
• medical imaging
• occupational health and safety

Tıbbi Görüntülemede İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği

Öz

Tıbbi görüntüleme birimlerinde iyonize radyasyonla çalışan sağlık personelinin iş sağlığı ve güvenliği, uluslararası standartlar ve ulusal mevzuatlar doğrultusunda kritik bir çalışma alanıdır. Uluslararası Radyolojik Korunma Komisyonu (ICRP) ile Türkiye’de TAEK/TENMAK tarafından belirlenen doz limitleri, çalışanların maruziyetinin kontrol altına alınmasını amaçlamakta olup yıllık doz limitleri, beş yıllık ortalama 20 mSv ve tek yıl için 50 mSv olarak uygulanmaktadır. Radyasyon güvenliğinin temel bileşenleri; zaman, mesafe ve zırhlama ilkeleri, kişisel dozimetre kullanımı ve ALARA prensibine dayalı doz optimizasyonudur. Literatürde, sağlık çalışanlarının önemli bir kısmında radyasyon güvenliği bilgi eksiklikleri, koruyucu ekipman kullanımında yetersizlikler ve dozimetre sonuçlarının takibinde aksaklıklar olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, öğrenci ve stajyerlerin ALARA prensibini kavrama düzeylerinin düşük olduğu çalışmalarda vurgulanmaktadır. Girişimsel radyoloji gibi yüksek doz riski barındıran uygulamalarda saçılan radyasyon, operatör maruziyetini artırmakta ve etkili zırhlama ile optimize edilmiş cihaz kullanımını gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu çalışma, ulusal ve uluslararası düzenlemeleri, radyasyon güvenliği uygulamalarını ve sağlık çalışanlarının farkındalık düzeylerini inceleyerek mevcut riskleri değerlendirmekte ve güvenlik kültürünün geliştirilmesi için eğitim, denetim ve teknolojik iyileştirme gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Radyasyon maruziyeti
• tıbbi görüntüleme
• iş sağlığı ve güvenliği

Kaynakça

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