Introduction:
Princess Alexandra Hospital PET Imaging Department, a prominent metropolitan region-serving hospital located in South East Queensland, recognized the need to improve the visibility of radiation use to reduce risk and increase assurance for staff working with imaging equipment and within the administration team. To address these concerns, the hospital participated in the SensaWeb Ignite project, sponsored by the QLD state government’s Department of Tourism, Innovation, and Sport. SensaWeb implemented a fixed area radiation monitoring system with real-time automated reporting and integrated alerts, providing high-resolution monitoring that tracked changes every second. This case study explores the successful implementation of SensaWeb’s system and its impact on radiation safety practices and staff assurance.
Background:
Princess Alexandra Hospital PET Imaging Department previously relied on handheld GM and survey meters for radiation monitoring. However, this approach was time-intensive, provided limited information at the time of measurement, and involved weekly manual monitoring. The hospital aimed to adopt a more comprehensive and efficient solution to enhance visibility and reduce risks associated with radiation use.
SensaWeb Implementation:
As part of the SensaWeb Ignite project, Princess Alexandra Hospital PET Imaging Department implemented SensaWeb’s fixed area radiation monitoring system. This advanced system offered real-time automated reporting, integrated alerts, and high-resolution monitoring capabilities, enabling continuous tracking of changes in radiation levels every second. The program was implemented over a 12-month period to assess its effectiveness.
Benefits and Impact:
The implementation of SensaWeb’s system brought significant benefits and positive outcomes to the PET Imaging Department:
Enhanced Radiation Safety and Risk Reduction:
1.SensaWeb’s system substantially improved the visibility of radiation use, leading to a reduction in risks and an increase in staff assurance. Real-time automated reporting and integrated alerts allowed for immediate access to radiation data, enabling prompt responses to potential hazards or deviations from safety guidelines. The system’s high-resolution monitoring provided comprehensive information, helping to identify potential risks and mitigate them effectively. By enhancing radiation safety practices, the hospital potentially reduced liability and increased overall safety awareness.
Monitoring Specific Areas:
2.The SensaWeb system focused on monitoring day use waiting rooms and offices for PET administration. This targeted approach provided detailed insights into radiation levels in areas where staff and patients spent significant time, ensuring a comprehensive view of the radiological conditions in critical spaces.
Flexibility, Mobility, and Ease of Use:
3.The SensaWeb system’s flexibility, mobility, accessibility, and ease of use were highly valued by the hospital staff. The system’s user-friendly interface and intuitive design made it simple to navigate and operate. The flexibility of the system allowed for monitoring in diverse locations, enhancing radiation safety across the hospital. The mobility of the system enabled staff to access real-time radiation data conveniently, ensuring increased awareness and assurance of environmental conditions.
Positive User Feedback and Future Adoption:
4.All users expressed their strong preference for SensaWeb and confirmed their intention to use the system again. The system’s simplicity, automated reporting, and high-resolution data provided hospital staff with valuable insights into radiological conditions, contributing to improved risk management and radiation safety practices. SensaWeb’s flexibility outperformed the hospital’s internal IT systems, making it the preferred choice for radiation monitoring. Moreover, all users enthusiastically recommended SensaWeb to colleagues and other hospitals, emphasizing its effectiveness in enhancing radiation safety and risk
reduction.
Conclusion:
The implementation of SensaWeb’s fixed area radiation monitoring system in the Princess Alexandra Hospital PET Imaging Department successfully enhanced radiation safety practices, reduced risks, and increased staff assurance. The real-time automated reporting, integrated alerts, and high-resolution monitoring capabilities significantly improved the visibility of radiation use. The system’s flexibility, mobility, accessibility, and ease of use were highly appreciated by the hospital staff. SensaWeb’s system was more user friendly than internal IT systems, while SensaWeb’s data resolution was a welcome improvement to radiation monitoring. The positive user feedback and intention to adopt the system in the future highlight its effectiveness in enhancing radiation safety practices and reducing risks associated with radiation use.
To learn more about how SensaWeb can help your organization enhance radiation safety and reduce risks, please visit their website at www.sensaweb.com.au.