Abstract
Ionizing radiation is widely used in fluoroscopy-guided procedures in urology and orthopedic surgery, providing significant benefits in diagnosis and intraoperative guidance; however, it also poses occupational health risks to healthcare professionals due to repeated exposure. This study aimed to evaluate radiation exposure, safety practices, and awareness among operation theater staff. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 132 healthcare professionals, including surgeons, anesthetists, surgical technicians, anesthesia technicians, and circulating nurses, at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital and Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Kidney Hospital. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing radiation exposure frequency, use of protective equipment, awareness of safety principles, and training status. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings revealed frequent occupational exposure, with many participants reporting radiation exposure more than three times per week. Lead aprons were the most commonly used protective measure, while the use of thyroid shields and dosimeters was notably low. A significant proportion of participants did not use any protective equipment, particularly circulating nurses. Major barriers included lack of trust in protective devices, discomfort, and inadequate training. Overall awareness of radiation safety principles was limited.
The study concludes that radiation safety practices are suboptimal among healthcare professionals, highlighting the need for structured training programs, strict adherence to safety protocols, and improved use of protective equipment to minimize occupational radiation risks.