Objective To investigate the type, distribution, and routine management of X-ray protective garments in radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy institutions in Huangpu District, so as to guide professionals to the appropriate use of protective garments, increase patients' willingness to wear, and protect their health and safety.
Methods All radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy insititutions in Huangpu District were surveyed by questionnaires and on-site inspection on the distribution, usage, and management of protective garments.
Results There were 99 radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy institutions and 252 X-ray rooms in Huangpu District. There were equipped with totally 773 pieces of X-ray protective garments, including 238 helmets, 213 collars, 150 skirts, 78 vests, and 94 scarfs. Of the 773 X-ray protective articles, 467 pieces (60.4%) were used for ≤ 5 years, in which 164 were for tertiary medical institutions, higher than that for secondary medical institutions (87 pieces) (χ2=6.047,P<0.05) and for private and individual medical institutions (152 pieces) (χ2=24.259,P<0.05). None of the institutions inspected the X-ray protective garments with more than 5 years of service history. Cleaning and disinfection of X-ray protective garments was recorded in 55 institutions (55.6% of the total institutions); 43 private and individual medical institutions (66.2%) and only 3 secondary medical institutions (23.1%,P<0.05); no significant difference was found between private and individual medical institutions and primary or tertiary medical institutions. In addition, 39 (39.4%) medical institutions hung up protective garments for storage, including 32 private and individual institutions and 1 secondary medical institution (P<0.01) and no significant difference was found between private and individual medical institutions and primary or tertiary medical institutions. The usage rate of X-ray protective garments was only 25.0%.
Conclusion The quantity of X-ray protective garments equipped in the radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy institutions in Huangpu District meet the national relevant requirement. However, a part of the X-ray protective garment have been in service for a long time and have not been checked or stored in an appropriate way. A low usage rate of X-ray protective garments is identified.
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