Investigation of the current status of radiation protection in veterinary diagnostic and treatment institutions in Liaocheng City, China
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2025.04.005
- VernacularTitle:聊城市动物诊疗机构放射防护现况调查
- Author:
Min LI
1
;
Yumei DOU
1
Author Information
1. Liaocheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Liaocheng 252000, China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Veterinary diagnostic and treatment institutions;
Radiation protection;
Occupational health
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2025;34(4):494-499
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To systematically assess the current status of radiation protection in veterinary diagnostic and treatment institutions in Liaocheng City, identify weaknesses in management, and provide a basis for standardizing veterinary radiological diagnostic and treatment. Methods A census-based design was employed. Data on radiation protection management, occupational health, and diagnostic and treatment practices were collected using standardized questionnaires. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 involving all 47 veterinary institutions equipped with radiological diagnostic and treatment devices in Liaocheng City. Results All 47 institutions were equipped with X-ray radiography units (no CT scanners), with 23.4% using medical-grade equipment (including 5 second-hand units). None of the institutions implemented the “three-synchronization” system, 12.8% lacked radiation protection records, and 21.3% failed to declare occupational disease hazards. Compared with veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals demonstrated significantly superior performance in three key radiation protection metrics: the proportion of radiology staff receiving radiation protection training (100% vs. 50.0%), individual dose monitoring compliance (92.3% vs. 55.3%), and occupational health examination rate (100% vs. 39.5%) (all P < 0.05). Moreover, 87.2% of institutions allowed pet owners to remain in the examination room, of whom only 68.1% wore protective gear, and all institutions reported radiation exposure to the limbs of animal restrainers. Staff demonstrated inadequate knowledge of radiation protection. Although all radiation protection tests met standards, the median radiation level from medical-grade equipment (0.48 μSv/h) was significantly higher than that from veterinary-specific equipment (0.15 μSv/h). Conclusion Veterinary diagnostic and treatment institutions in Liaocheng City exhibited a pattern of “hospitals superior to clinics”. Prominent issues included compliance risks associated with second-hand equipment, radiation exposure to non-occupational personnel (owners and restrainers), and insufficient radiation protection knowledge. Recommendations include strengthening oversight of equipment sources, promoting specialized animal restraint devices, standardizing procedures for pet owner presence in examination rooms, and implementing targeted training programs.
