Comparative Study of Implementation of Safety Measures in Diagnostic Imaging Departments

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges today is to improve the quality and safety of care provided; unintentionally serious harm comes to patients as well as healthcare provider during routine clinical practices. Medical imaging department is one example where various types of hazards and safety issues arise. Implementation of radiation safety guidelines and polices have the greatest impact on both patients and radiographers. Study objective to Study the extent of implementation of safety measures in diagnostic imaging departments in Sudan, Khartoum hospitals. Descriptive cross sectional study was carried to compare the implementation of safety measures in diagnostic imaging department between hospitals in United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) and Sudan (Khartoum), sample including 100 radiologic technologists, 50 participants from each country. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaires after verbal consent. Data were analyzed using SPSS, IBM V 20. Almost all radiologic technologists from Abu Dhabi hospitals were compliant to annual device testing, corresponding to 14% from Khartoum hospitals. Among 50 participants in Khartoum 54% had done at least one wrong x-ray or miss identify patient compared to 14% in Abu Dhabi. The participants were evaluated about their knowledge in international patient safety goals, 88% are aware of all of them in Abu Dhabi hospitals in comparison to 20% in Khartoum hospitals. Throughout the study 76% are keen to apply the infection control measures like hand hygiene and using PPEs in Abu Dhabi. This percent is much lower in Khartoum 22%. It realized that the main reason for this large disparity between two research centers is the financial issues, other factor includes absence of documented guidelines and policies which controlling the radiation safety within the departments, so based on this finding; important factors like general safety guidelines and policies for each department, Training and courses, along with Financial support can have great impact in improving safe practices within radiology department.