A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practices of workplace radiation safety amongst anaesthesiology personnel in northern Indian tertiary care institutes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Exposure to ionising radiation to Anaesthesiology consultants, residents, technicians and nurses (Anaesthesiology personnel) is steadily increasing as a consequence of growing usage of imaging technology for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of Anaesthesiology professionals (consultants, residents, technicians and nursing staff) working in three major tertiary care medical institutes in northern India regarding the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices of radiation safety at their workplaces. METHODS: A printed and validated 30-point questionnaire was distributed. Questions were graded into the domains of demographics (6 questions), knowledge (9 questions), attitude (4 questions) and practice (11 questions). Data obtained from the responses was collated and analysed statistically RESULTS: Out of the 403 questionnaires distributed, 222 were returned completed (55%). Majority of the respondents were residents (53.60%) and males (57.20%). Many were unaware of the principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), (70.7%) regarding collimators (65.85%) and their usage (41.9%). Maximum respondents stressed on the necessity of knowing the exposure dosage of radiations (89.2%) and were concerned regarding the same (87.8%). Lead apron was the commonest protection equipment and 97.3% of them were not using dosimeters. Highest levels of knowledge, attitude, and practices were demonstrated by the consultants. In terms of practices, the technicians fared better than the residents. CONCLUSION: Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding radiation protection issues and doses of radiological procedures is limited. Although all the cadres scored high on their attitude scores, the practice sector requires improvement.