TITLE: occupational exposure study in professionals acting in the surgical center during surgical arc procedures
author(s): Michel, T. C. M., Souza, V.B., Corrêa, K.E.R., Fernandes, R.L. & DelMonaco, A.D.M.
ABSTRACT: The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease known as COVID-19, has reached a pandemic level since its emergence in December 2019, in Wuhan, China, generating global concern, above all, to health systems. whereas surgical procedures can accelerate and aggravate the progression of COVID-19, situations where surgery cannot be delayed, it is necessary to ensure adequate facilities to achieve optimal care with maximum safety. In the current context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, for patients requiring surgery, a protocol should be implemented addressing preoperative preparation, intraoperative management and postoperative surveillance with a view to avoiding complications and ensuring the safety of patients and the health team. Asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 undergo rapid deterioration after surgeries and therefore the surgical area, in the context of the pandemic, faces a need for several adaptations. Fluoroscopy equipment, C-arm fluoroscopy, are widely used for minimally invasive procedures, it is safe and effective, these equipments provide exposure of occupational doses since these procedures have a relatively high exposure time and due to the proximity of professionals to the tube. Due to the exposure of routine practitioners, more detailed monitoring is necessary to evaluate the exposure of these individuals for their radiological protection. The present study aims to evaluate the dose in the occupationally exposed individuals of the surgical center of the Hospital Vitória Anália Franco in São Paulo metropolitan center, Brazil. To this end, dosimeters were distributed among the multidisciplinary team that works in the surgical center, with the purpose of capturing the exposure rates emitted by the equipment during the procedures. The equipment used in the study was a GE C-arm, model OEC Elite 7900. With this, the doses received by the professionals who work in the service during the procedure were estimated, and the impact on the health of the collaborator was assessed, given the dosage obtained in the study. Based on the result obtained, it is shown that it is possible to have a control so that no professional is exposed more than is allowed. This control can be achieved through the use of obligatory PPEs, as well as the dosimetry of all professionals working with radiation in the surgical center. In addition, professionals should stay as far away from the scattering source of radiation as possible during procedures. We concluded that it is necessary to carry out a program of optimization and training of the professionals, as well as making dosimeters available for all professionals who participate in procedures with the use of radiation.
KEYWORDS: Exposure, Dosimetry, C-arm, Radiological protection.