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Applying Radiation Safety Standards in Diagnostic Radiology in Jamaica

Journal Authors: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2016.385
ABSTRACT
 
Objectives: To assess the current status of radiological safety practices in Jamaica and recommend radiation management and safety practices in accordance with the Jamaican Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act, 2015. 
 
Method: A series of questionnaires were administered among a sample of radiology workers from public and private facilities, who were randomly selected through a systematic grouping exercise. Interviews were conducted with chief radiology personnel, and data collected from secondary sources was compared to that received via the primary medium. A control study was also conducted in a New York hospital to compare the radiation safety practices with results from this study.  
 
Results: Thermo-luminescent dosimeters (TLD) were identified as the main dosimeters employed in Jamaica. However, there was no protocol in place specifying the safe use and storage of dosimeters, and there was no management system in place to keep records of dose measurements.
 
Conclusion: There is a need for policies endorsing the use of a dosimetry register that can be employed to ensure the maximum permissible dose is not exceeded, and in cases where it is, to recommend preventative procedures to be implemented to avoid the recurrence of the issue.
Accepted: 
05 Oct, 2016
e-Published: 03 Nov, 2016

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