RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RADIATION RISK TO FEMALE SURGEONS

[THE PREDOMINANCE OF REPORTING of patient harm resulting from hospital treatment can obscure the fact that the hospital – and the operating theatre in particular – poses risks for those working in them in the same way as any other workplace.

That fact has been illuminated by a short-life working group created by the British Orthopaedic Association, which worked on identifying and understanding the risks and ways of providing better protection for female health workers from ionising radiation in the workplace. Their guidance has been published on the BOA website and recently its breast cancer risk section has been updated to highlight the best gowns to use for protection of the breast from irradiation. An editorial highlighting the risks and concerns was published by the BMJ on 13 April.

Working group member Hannah Sevenoaks has also shared her own personal thoughts around occupational radiation protection safety and why she felt health workers needed to demand better from their PPE. Her article A tipping point to improve radiation safety in orthopaedics has been published on the website Orthopaedics Online

Female breast tissue extends into the axilla and the majority of breast cancers occur in the upper outer quadrant (UOQ). Currently available PPE consists of tabard-style one-piece gowns or a twopiece skirt and vest. Simulated studies measuring dose exposure to the UOQ of the breast have shown that they provide inadequate protection. Dosimeters worn over those gowns showed the area next to the axilla and UOQ received the highest dose of radiation in the torso.

In her article Hannah Sevenoaks concluded: “This, and the work supported by the BOA to improve breast protection, highlights the tangible and easily measurable improvements we can make to radiation safety in orthopaedics with physical interventions.

“Ultimately, however, it is the more subtle, arguably mundane and probably more elusive changes in behaviour, attitude and culture that will protect everyone more than any amount of shiny new PPE. Hopefully by starting this conversation about radiation safety, we can generate a tipping point for the profession as a whole.” q excellence in the community for our patients. There’s a dedicated paediatric area for our younger patients and the new space will be a fantastic environment for our colleagues to work in.”

Officially opening the new location, Hannah England commented: “As an athlete physiotherapy has been essential throughout my career. I am also aware of the massive difference it makes in restoring function and transforming lives. This is a fantastic assessment and rehabilitation facility with some amazing new equipment which will really benefit the patients who use it.”

Nearly a third of all primary care appointments are related to musculoskeletal conditions. Investing at the new location in the community at College Green means that patients can be treated in a specialist area away from the main hospital site, with parking and public transport services nearby. q