Perception of Radiation Exposure and Risk among Patients, Medical Students, and Referring Physicians at a Tertiary Care Community Hospital

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Ricketts ◽  
Mark O. Baerlocher ◽  
Murray R. Asch ◽  
Andy Myers

Background It is important for physicians to be aware of the radiation doses as well as the risks associated with diagnostic imaging procedures that they are ordering. Methods A survey was administered to patients, medical students, and referring physicians from a number of specialties to determine background knowledge regarding radiation exposure and risk associated with commonly ordered medical imaging tests. Results A total of 127 patients, 32 referring physicians, and 30 medical students completed the survey. The majority of patients (92%) were not informed of the radiation risks associated with tests that they were scheduled to receive and had false perceptions about the use of radiation and its associated risks. Physicians and medical students had misconceptions about the use of ionizing radiation in a number of radiologic examinations; for example, 25% and 43% of physicians and medical students, respectively, were unaware that interventional procedures used ionizing radiation, and 28% of physicians were unaware that mammography used ionizing radiation. Computed tomographies and barium studies were thought to be associated with the least ionizing radiation among physicians. Conclusion There is a need for educating the public, medical students, and referring physicians about radiation exposure and associated risk so that (1) patients receiving multiple medical imaging tests are aware of the radiation that they are receiving and (2) physicians and future physicians will make informed decisions when ordering such tests to limit the amount of radiation that patients receive and to promote informed consent among patients.

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S370-S370
Author(s):  
Takahiro Ichikawa ◽  
Fumihiro Kodama

Abstract Background Staphylococcus lugdunensis, a coagulase-negative staphylococcus, has virulence and pathogenicity similar to that of Staphylococcus aureus. Methicillin resistance and presence of mecA gene are not common in S. lugdunensis in many parts of the world. Recently, higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. lugdunensis is reported from Taiwan and Japan. We describe the change in methicillin resistance of S. lugdunensis in a tertiary care community hospital in Sapporo, Japan. Methods We performed a retrospective study of S. lugdunensis, isolated from inpatients and outpatients at our hospital from 2008 to 2017. Rate of methicillin resistance of the first 5 years from 2008 to 2012, and that of the second 5 years from 2013 to 2017 were compared. Risk factors of methicillin resistance were also evaluated. Phenotypic detection of methicillin resistance was identified using broth microdilution by VITEK two system (bioMérieux). Results A total of 369 cases of S. lugdunensis were detected during the study period. Of all cases, 228 (61.8%) were men, and 177 (48.0%) were hospitalized. Twenty-one isolates (5.7%) were positive in blood culture, 216 (58.5%) were positive in cultures of skin and soft tissue. Methicillin-resistant strains were found in 43 (31.6%) of 136 isolates from 2008 to 2012, and in 108 (46.4%) of 233 from 2013 to 2017 (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.20–2.91; P = 0.006). Of patients with methicillin-resistant S. lugdunensis, 105 cases (69.5%) were hospitalized (P < 0.001). Conclusion In our hospital, methicillin-resistant S. lugdunensis is increasing over the 10 years. Further research is needed to assess trend of methicillin resistance of S. lugdunensis in other healthcare facilities and countries. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seife Teferi Dellie ◽  
Daniel Admassie ◽  
Yenework Ewnetu

Objectives. To evaluate the level of knowledge about the radiation exposure to diagnostic imaging procedures among the final-year medical students and interns and to suggest how education could be improved. Material and Methods. All 355 final-year medical students and interns from Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa were included in the study. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of their actual knowledge on ionizing radiation and on their preferred method of learning. All questions were in multiple choice formats ranging from 4 to 7 choices. The obtained data were analyzed using statistical software. Results. A total of 343 completed questionnaires were received. Up to 78.9% of respondents underestimated or do not know the radiation dose from commonly requested radiological procedures. Surprisingly, 245 (71.4%) and 254 (79.3%) students incorrectly believed that ultrasound and MRI, respectively, emit ionizing radiation or they do not know if they emit radiation or not. Both interns and medical students did not have significant difference (P=0.56) in their knowledge of ionizing radiation. A combination of tutorials or workshops (29.7%) and learning modules (19.8%) combined were their first and last preferred methods of teaching for future radiation awareness, respectively.  Conclusion. This study has clearly shown that awareness of ionizing radiation from diagnostic imaging is lacking among senior medical students and interns. The results highlight the need for improved education to minimize unnecessary exposure of patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 1044-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorinne Gray ◽  
Kevin Foster ◽  
Abner Cruz ◽  
Gail Kane ◽  
Mike Toomey ◽  
...  

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