Classification of the Area Around the X-Ray Room at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda

The study used the commonest parameters for the lumber-spine and skull examinations. It was found that positions 4 (control room) and 2 (left of the X-ray machine) had the highest radiation doses at 30cm and 60cm respectively from the wall. The highest radiation dose recorded was 7.52×1𝑂⁻⁵mSv/year at position 2, followed by 7.20×1𝑂⁻⁵ mSv/year at position 4 (control room). The lowest radiation dose was 2.93×1𝑂⁻⁵mSv/year and 3.3×1𝑂⁻⁵mSv/year at 30cm and 60 cm respectively from the wall at position. The results of the study were all below the annual dose limit (1mSv/year) and were therefore classified as public areas. It was also observed that the radiation warning lights were faulty and could stay the same during an examination. Basing on the results above, it was advised that the positions where averagely higher values were seen should be kept out of bounds to people with no knowledge of the radiation safety principles so that the absorbed doses are kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). (author)