Abstract
Purpose: To develop and evaluate a radiation safety program used to educate NICU staff regarding safety procedures to minimize the effects of radiation on the newborn. Background: Advancements in medical care have resulted in infants born at lower gestational ages and higher acuity. With increased acuity comes an increase in diagnostic testing, including radiologic imaging. Although x-rays are necessary, they do not come without risk, including the future development of cancers. Methods: The number of x-rays completed in the NICU over a one-year period, was evaluated prior to the radiation safety program, directly after implementation, and five years postintervention.Results: Prior to the radiation safety program, the mean number of x-rays was 4.2 per patient per NICU admission. Immediately after implementation, the mean decreased to 3.8 per patient, and five years postintervention, the mean significantly decreased to 1.9 x-rays per patient per NICU stay.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 306-312 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Neonatal Network |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2017 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Critical Care
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
Cite this
Development and evaluation of a radiation safety program in the NICU. / Wallingford, Kristina; Rubarth, Lori Baas.
In: Neonatal Network, Vol. 36, No. 5, 2017, p. 306-312.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Development and evaluation of a radiation safety program in the NICU
AU - Wallingford, Kristina
AU - Rubarth, Lori Baas
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Purpose: To develop and evaluate a radiation safety program used to educate NICU staff regarding safety procedures to minimize the effects of radiation on the newborn. Background: Advancements in medical care have resulted in infants born at lower gestational ages and higher acuity. With increased acuity comes an increase in diagnostic testing, including radiologic imaging. Although x-rays are necessary, they do not come without risk, including the future development of cancers. Methods: The number of x-rays completed in the NICU over a one-year period, was evaluated prior to the radiation safety program, directly after implementation, and five years postintervention.Results: Prior to the radiation safety program, the mean number of x-rays was 4.2 per patient per NICU admission. Immediately after implementation, the mean decreased to 3.8 per patient, and five years postintervention, the mean significantly decreased to 1.9 x-rays per patient per NICU stay.
AB - Purpose: To develop and evaluate a radiation safety program used to educate NICU staff regarding safety procedures to minimize the effects of radiation on the newborn. Background: Advancements in medical care have resulted in infants born at lower gestational ages and higher acuity. With increased acuity comes an increase in diagnostic testing, including radiologic imaging. Although x-rays are necessary, they do not come without risk, including the future development of cancers. Methods: The number of x-rays completed in the NICU over a one-year period, was evaluated prior to the radiation safety program, directly after implementation, and five years postintervention.Results: Prior to the radiation safety program, the mean number of x-rays was 4.2 per patient per NICU admission. Immediately after implementation, the mean decreased to 3.8 per patient, and five years postintervention, the mean significantly decreased to 1.9 x-rays per patient per NICU stay.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85028372631&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85028372631&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1891/0730-0832.36.5.306
DO - 10.1891/0730-0832.36.5.306
M3 - Article
C2 - 28847354
AN - SCOPUS:85028372631
VL - 36
SP - 306
EP - 312
JO - Neonatal network : NN
JF - Neonatal network : NN
SN - 0730-0832
IS - 5
ER -