Shielding Adequacy of Conventional X-ray Facilities in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria using RadShield Software

Mohammed Sidi; Abubakar Aminu Abubakar; Anas Ya'u; Umar Mansur; Aliyu Abdullahi Hassan; Usman Tijjani

doi:10.46481/asr.2022.1.3.44

Authors

Mohammed Sidi Department of Radiography, Faculty, of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Abubakar Aminu Abubakar
[email protected]
Department of Radiography, Faculty, of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9088-8469
Anas Ya'u Department of Radiography, Faculty, of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Umar Mansur Department of Radiography, Faculty, of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Aliyu Abdullahi Hassan Department of Radiology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Nigeria
Usman Tijjani Department of Radiology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Nigeria

Keywords:

Shielding, X-ray, RadShielding, Barrier

Abstract

Over time x-ray department gains more patient throughput compared to when it was established, this may lead to changes in room usage, workload and occupancy factor. Therefore, it becomes imperative to re-evaluate the shielding adequacy of the facilities to ensure the appropriate shielding design goal is accomplished. The study was aimed at assessing the shielding adequacy of conventional x-ray rooms in ten radio diagnostic centres in Kano Metropolis using RADSHIELD software. This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. RadShield software version 1.1 was used in the study, parameters such as distances of each wall from a radiation source (D), the average number of patients per week (N), occupancy factor (T), and use factor (U) were inserted into the software together with the shielding design goal (P). Once the result was generated, the design and shielding variables were saved in .xml format. The data were analyzed using Excel 2016. Ten facilities were studied involving 14 x-ray rooms. Room III had the largest room size of 49.2 m2 while room X had the least room size of 12.8 m2. Room II had the longest source image distance (SOD) of 180cm while room IV had the shortest (120cm). The design barrier thickness was thickest (47 cm) in room II and thinnest (1.5 cm) in barrier 5 of room III. All the x-ray rooms had the ideal room size except facilities G and H. The design barrier thickness in the radiology department of all the conventional x-ray rooms involved in the study was adequate.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), The 2007 Recommendations of International Commission On Radiological Protection ICRP Publication 103. Ann.ICRP37 (2007).

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board AERB, Safety code for medical diagnostic x-ray equipment and installation, Safety Code no. AERB/SC/MED2 (Rev.1), 2001.Mumba available at http://www.aerb.gov.in/AE RBPortal/pages/English/t/XRay/med2.PDF. Deposited October 5th 2001.

R. Mirji & B. Lobo, “Radiation shielding materials : A brief review on methods, scope and significance”, Proceedings of the National Conference on Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics, Jabin Science College, Huballi, India (2017) 96.

K. H. Cho, J. H. Jung, C. K. Min, S. H. Bae, S. K. Moon, E.S. Kim, S. J. Cho & R. Lee, “Survey of Radiation Shielding

Design Goals and Workload Based on Radiation Safety Report : Tomotherapy Vault”, Prog. in Med. Phys. 29 (2018) 42,

https://doi.org/10.14316/pmp.2018.29.1.42

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Structural Shielding Design for Medical Use of X-rays Imaging Facilities, NCRP Report No.147. Bethesda, MD, 20814 (2004).

M. C. DeLorenzo, D. H. Wu, K. Yang & I. B. Rutel, “RadShield: Semiautomated shielding design using a floor plan driven graphical user interface,” J. Appl. Clin. Med. Phys. 17 (2016) 509, https://doi.org/10.1120/jacmp.v17i5.6287.

F. Nkubli, N. Chukwuemeka, N. Chigozie & J. Dlama, “A Survey of Diagnostic X-ray Room Design and Shielding Integrity in a State in Northern Estern Nigeria”, Journal of Radiography and Radiation Sciences 34 (2020) 42.

L. D. Godfrey, D. J. Adeyemo & U. Sadiq, “Radiological kVp accuracy, reproducibility and consistency assessment of some hospitals in Zaria environs of Kaduna state, Nigeria”, Arch. Appl. Sci. Res. 7 (2015) 2.

F. Nkubli, C. C. Nzotta, N. I. Nwobi, S. A Moi, T. Adejoh, G. Luntsi, J. Dlama & L. S. Shem, “A Survey of Structural Design of Diagnostic X-ray Imaging Facilities and Compliance to Shielding Design Goals in a Limited Resource Setting”, J. Glob. Radiol. 3 (2017) 1. https://doi.org/10.7191/jgr.2017.1041.

A. A. Aminu & M. Sidi, “Determination of X-ray shielding thickness in two tertiary hospitals in Kano metropolis, Nigeria”, West African J. Radiol. 21 (2014) 21. https://doi.org/10.4103/1115-1474.128076.

S. M. Alameen, S. Khalid, W. Ali, & M. Y. Osman, “Shielding Evaluation of Diagnostic X-Ray Rooms in Khartoum State”, Glob. J. Health Sci. 9 (2017) 161.