Investigation of qualitative and quantitative factors related to radiological exposure to nursing staff during computed tomography examinations.

Radiologists or nurses intermittently stay in computed tomography rooms during computed tomography examinations; these actions are defined as “entrance actions.” The qualitative and quantitative factors related to radiological exposure to computed tomography nursing staff were investigated to identify the protective measures against entrance actions. A questionnaire survey was used to investigate the frequency, motives, and causalities of entrance actions.

A novel removable shield attached to C-arm units against scattered X-rays from a patient's side.

Objectives: We invented a drape-like shield against scattered X-rays that can safely come into contact with medical equipment or people during fluoroscopically guided procedures. The shield can be easily removed from a C-arm unit using one hand. We evaluated the use of the novel removable shield during the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons in experimental and practical fields.

Few practical evaluation studies have been conducted on X-ray protective aprons in workplaces. We examined the effects of exchanging the protective apron type with regard to exposure reduction in experimental and practical fields, and discuss the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons. Experimental field evaluations were performed by the measurement of the X-ray transmission rates of protective aprons.