Enter Your Email Address to Receive a
Copy of MedicExhange Member Demograhpics

Medical imaging devices in use at some health institutions pose a radiation risk, said Doğan Bor, a professor with the Institute of Nuclear Sciences at Ankara University
Bor’s institute has been conducting research at various hospitals and other medical facilities for the past eight years. At some of them they have found that the amounts of radiation received by both patients and staff are three to five times higher than international standards.

"Radiation above international standards is being used with medical imaging devices, computerized tomography, angiography and mammography at some health institutions," Bor said. "This situation is the result of careless use of the devices, improper maintenance and poor protection from radiation during the examinations."

People in Turkey who worry about radiation generated by cell phones neglect the fact that much higher levels of radiation are included in medical examination procedures, Bor said, adding that some cardiologists and radiologists are not trained well enough to operate the devices.

The difference between operating such devices correctly and incorrectly may expose patients to 10 to 20 times more radiation than is needed. "If a patient is overweight, the radiation level is increased for better imaging," Bor said. "But that same dosage, unfortunately, may also carelessly be used on a child."

Source: Ankara University