Patients Experience in X-Ray Exposures in Some Hospitals in Southern Ghana

Abstract

The use of X-ray and other ionizing radiations for diagnostic, interventional and treatment purposes requires strict guidelines and restrictions in order not to put patients, operators of the equipment and the public at risk either directly or indirectly. This study was to independently ascertain if patients exposed to X-ray for either diagnostic or interventional purposes are taken through the appropriate safety protocol before and during the procedures as per the recommendations of International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) under auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the United Nations (UN). One thousand, four hundred patients from five regional capitals including the capital city were involved in the study. It was observed that most of the key guidelines were not strictly being followed. In some instances, women of childbearing age (11-55 years) were not asked any question about possible pregnancy before exposure, previous X-ray exposure histories were not considered and some patients were exposed to the X-ray without any protective gear. However, the findings also showed that there is a low probability of equipment malfunctioning or multiple shots being taken on a single visit. This observation makes X-ray exposure unsafe for many in a developing country like Ghana and the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) must be resourced to enforce the required guidelines.

Keywords: x-ray, radiation protection, patient, guidelines