Affiliation:
1. Department of Radiological Technology, Showa University Hospital, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
2. Department of Radiology, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
Abstract
Abstract
Radiation exposure of a practitioner’s fingers is a problem in interventional radiology, and radiation protection gloves (protective gloves) can help reduce such exposure. Several types of protective gloves are commercially available from various manufacturers. In the present study, we compared the protective effects and usability of four types of protective gloves. To investigate the radiation protection effect, we placed normal surgical gloves and the four types of protective gloves on phantom hands with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) attached to the fingertips and the dorsum and palms of the hands. Next, they were irradiated with x rays, and the radiation dose was measured and compared using the TLDs. In terms of usability, 42 medical staff members completed a questionnaire that included seven items, such as finger movability, tactile sensation, grip, and overall satisfaction, which were scored on a 5-point scale. Consequently, the protective effects differed between the gloves, and radiation exposure was lower by 30% to 60% with these gloves compared with surgical gloves. In terms of usability, a difference of 2 to 4 points was noted between the gloves for each questionnaire item. These results suggest that radiation protective gloves can protect the surgeon's fingers from radiation exposure without reducing work efficiency by selecting gloves according to the surgical procedure.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging,Epidemiology