Summary:
X-ray machines and radiation emitting sources are used in hospitals for the
diagnostic approach and treatment of diseases. Apart from patients, some of the
hospital employees who work in radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology,
and some laboratories (“occupational workers”) are specifically trained in the
operation of radiation machines and the handling of radioactive materials and
sources. Other hospital workers (“allied medical workers”) may work around
radiation sources, and may be indirectly exposed to radiation during
performance of their normal duties. These employees may belong to nursing,
housekeeping, maintenance, security, shipping/receiving, and clerical
departments. In addition, patient transport, operating room, and recovery room
personnel may come in contact with radioactive implant and nuclear medicine
pa-tients. This study is designed to exam the nature of radiation, its use in
the hospital, its effects on tissues of the human body, and the methods of
radiation protection. It is divided in three distinct parts. In the first part,
the nature of radiation is described, taking into account the different forms
of it in hospitals where sources of radiation or radioactivity materials are
widely used for diagnostic or/and therapeutic reasons. In the second part, the
effects of radiation in tissues are described. Great emphasis is given to
consequences of ionizing radiation on molecule of DNA, as well as on variable
tissues and organs of human body, like gonadal cells of sexes, immune system,
cardiovascular system, thyroid gland, and nasopharynx. The risks due to
unnecessary use of computed tomography are also referred. Finally, through the
third part of study, the methods of radiation protection in the restricted
areas of hospital or out of them are analyzed. However, there are controversies
among scientists about the reliability of conclusions of studies, as well as
about the real need of protection measures against the low doses of ionizing
radiation used in hospitals for medical purposes.
Keywords:
Hospitals, X-ray machines, Effects in health, Protection measures (patients) , Protection measures (personnel)
