Level of compliance with the radiation protection regulation-a survey among Norwegian hospitals and X-ray institutes

• Published in: Radiation protection dosimetry 2011-09, Vol.147 (1-2), p.223-226
• Main Authors: Friberg, E. G., Widmark, A., Solberg, M., Wøhni, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical Audit; Compliance; Dosimetry; Guideline Adherence; Health care; Hospitals; Humans; inspection; medical equipment; Quality Control; Radiation Dosage; Radiation Protection - instrumentation; Radiation Protection - legislation & jurisprudence; Radiation Protection - standards; Radiography; Radiology Department, Hospital - legislation & jurisprudence; Radiology Department, Hospital - standards; X-Rays
• ISSN: 0144-8420; 1742-3406
• DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncr304

To identify the level of compliance with the new radiation protection regulation among Norwegian health care enterprises (HCEs). Totally, 41 HCEs were authorised to use advanced X-ray equipment for medical purposes during 2005-07. Follow-up inspections with 14 HCEs were carried out during 2007-09. Main topics for the inspections were those requirements identified as most challenging to implement in the authorisation process. Totally, 192 non-conformities with the regulation were revealed during the authorisation process. The inspections revealed that 93 % of the inspected HCEs had non-conformities with the regulation. Most common non-conformities dealt with skills in radiation protection, establishment of local diagnostic reference levels, access to medical physicists and performance of quality control of X-ray equipment. Inspections are an effective tool for implementation of regulation the requirements at the HCEs, thus improving radiation protection awareness.