Protective Techniques Followed by Nurses to Prevent X-ray Exposure During Fluoroscopic Guided Surgeries

Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that shows a continuous X-ray (ionizing radiation) image on a monitor. Fluoroscopic guided surgeries are increasing all over the world. However, the danger of X-ray exposure may be an issue for health care workers including nurses. X-ray can cause both somatic and genetic damages such as squamous cell carcinoma of hands, leukemia, thyroid cancers, stomach cancers, and birth defects. The aim of this study was to examine protective techniques followed by nurses to prevent X-ray exposure during fluoroscopic guided surgeries. This quantitative descriptive study was conducted in three main hospitals in Sri Lanka; namely National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH), and Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH). The convenience sampling method was utilized to recruit 100 nurses who are working in fluoroscopic theatres of these hospitals. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The study revealed a sound knowledge regarding X-ray protective techniques and poor knowledge regarding international standard protective techniques to protect themselves from X-ray exposure among nurses. However, attitudes are satisfactory. Existing practices of X-ray protective techniques are poor. Insufficient equipment, lack of knowledge and modern technology, poor training facilities were identified as barriers to use X-ray protective techniques. Health authorities of Sri Lanka should accept the importance of X-ray protection, and should provide appropriate training, policies and equipment. Overall changes are also needed in hospital administration to facilitate adequate educational sessions, protective devices and technology on X-ray protection for health care workers including nurses.