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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2021; 62(4); 349-356;

Radiation safety practices among Canadian equine veterinary workers during diagnostic procedures with portable X-ray equipment.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to report observed radiation safety practices among equine workers using portable X-ray units at 3 veterinary practices in Canada. Practice 1 was comprised of equine field service workers from an academic institution, whereas Practices 2 and 3 were comprised of workers from private equine referral practices. Out of 2969 exposure-worker observations, protective aprons were worn for > 99% (2968/2969), thyroid shields for 87% (2584/2969), and eyeglasses for 10% (310/2969). The cassette was held by hand for 97% (1078/1114) of observations, and the X-ray unit was held by hand for 100% (1293/1293) of observations. Gloves were used for 54% (606/1114) and < 1% (5/1293) of observations involving cassette holders and X-ray tube operators, respectively. Use of gloves was more frequent among technologists than DVMs ( = 0.004), and among workers in Practices 1 and 3 than in Practice 2 ( 99 % (2968/2969), des écrans thyroïdiens pour 87 % (2584/2969) et des lunettes pour 10 % (310/2969). La cassette a été tenue à la main pour 97 % (1078/1114) des observations et l’unité de radiographie a été tenue à la main pour 100 % (1293/1293) des observations. Des gants ont été utilisés pour 54 % (606/1114) et < 1 % (5/1293) des observations impliquant des porteurs de cassette et des opérateurs de tubes à rayons X, respectivement. L’utilisation de gants était plus fréquente chez les technologues que chez les vétérinaires ( = 0,004) et chez les travailleurs des Pratiques 1 et 3 que ceux de la Pratique 2 ( < 0,001). En conclusion, étant donné que les travailleurs tiennent généralement des cassettes et des tubes à rayons X à la main, une amélioration de l’utilisation du blindage est nécessaire. Il faudrait tenir compte des recommandations de comportement spécifiques dans les réglementations relatives aux rayonnements.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-20 PubMed ID: 33867546PubMed Central: PMC7953936
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article provides an investigation into the radiation safety practices used by Canadian equine veterinary professionals using portable X-ray machines across three different practice types. Emphasizing adequate protective gear use and handling processes, the study reveals that improvements should be made for increased worker safety.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The objective of the research was to evaluate the radiation safety practices of equine workers using portable X-ray equipment.
  • The research included observations from three different working environments; Practice 1 constituted equine field service workers from an academic institution, and Practices 2 and 3 included workers from private equine referral practices.

Observations and Findings

  • The study observed workers’ practices and protective gear use during X-ray procedures, gathering data from 2969 exposure-worker observations.
  • Out of those observed, over 99% of workers wore protective aprons, 87% used thyroid shields, but only 10% used protective eyeglasses.
  • For the handling of equipment, the cassette was manually held in 97% of the instances, and the X-ray unit was held by hand in all observations.

Protective Gear Use: Gloves

  • Gloves were a notable point of discussion as their usage varied – 54% of cassette holders used gloves, but only less than 1% of X-ray tube operators did.
  • Glove usage was more common among technologists than doctors or veterinarians, and also among workers in Practices 1 and 3 compared to Practice 2.

Research Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The research concluded that there is a necessity for improvements in shielding use, given that workers generally handle cassettes and X-ray tubes by hand.
  • The article also suggests that current radiation regulation should consider incorporating specific behavior recommendations to enhance radiation safety practices in veterinary settings.

Cite This Article

APA
Belotta AF, Mayer MN, Waldner CL, Robinson K, Sidhu N, Carmalt J, Bell CD, Koehncke NK. (2021). Radiation safety practices among Canadian equine veterinary workers during diagnostic procedures with portable X-ray equipment. Can Vet J, 62(4), 349-356.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 62
Issue: 4
Pages: 349-356

Researcher Affiliations

Belotta, Alexandra F
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
Mayer, Monique N
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
Waldner, Cheryl L
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
Robinson, Kate
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
Sidhu, Narinder
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
Carmalt, James
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
Bell, Chris D
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
Koehncke, Niels K
  • Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Canada
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Horses
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Radiography
  • X-Rays

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Koehncke N. Occupational health hazards in veterinary oncology practice. Can Vet J 2025 Sep;66(9):1016-1019.
    pubmed: 40927263
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