REGULAR CONTENT
Final ID
542
Type
Original Scientific Research-Oral or Pos
Authors
G Gordon1, A Csordas2, J List3, J Stavas4, K Schmidt5
Institutions
1NWI VAMC, Omaha, NE, 2Creighton University, Omaha, NE, 3Creighton, Omaha, NE, 4N/A, , United States, 5UNMC, Omaha, NE
Purpose
Evaluate differences between Society of Interventional Radiology general membership and government, Veterans Administration employees in relation to occupational health and radiation safety behavior patterns and opinion.
Materials & Methods
A HIPIAA compliant and IRB approved, survey was developed buy a member of the SIR in cooperation with VA VISN 23 Radiology Service line leadership. The survey was administered through, and in cooperation with, the Society of Interventional Radiology Radiation safety committee. The survey was sent to all SIR members (5142) via Survey Monkey TM. 706 responses (13.7% rate). A total of 56 responses derived from VA and federal employees. Data from the descriptive survey was then sub analyzed by the UNMC department of public health. Several statistical metrics were utilized to determine significant differences in general SIR membership opinion versus government and Veterans Administration employees.
Results
There are significant difference in discomfort between government/VA workers and non-government workers. 83.6% of VA workers report discomfort vs. 69.4% of non-VA workers. (p = 0.018 Chi Sq). Additional differences in number of reported discomforts between workers, with 37.5% / 35.7% of government/VA workers reporting 2, or more than 2, areas of discomfort compared with 23.3% and 28.8% of non-VA workers, respectively (p = 0.017).In addition, there are differences in IR participation on their institution's radiation safety committee; 12.7% of VA vs. 31.7 % Non VA employees. (p=0.011 CS). Several additional differences noted, including differences in occupational health knowledge and regulatory compliance.
Conclusions
Although federal employee SIR members complain of greater physical stress and less ownership and involvement with Radiation and occupational safety, Federal facilities appear to have higher enforcement and more strict enforcement for excess radiation exposure than non federal employee SIR members
Final ID
542
Type
Original Scientific Research-Oral or Pos
Authors
G Gordon1, A Csordas2, J List3, J Stavas4, K Schmidt5
Institutions
1NWI VAMC, Omaha, NE, 2Creighton University, Omaha, NE, 3Creighton, Omaha, NE, 4N/A, , United States, 5UNMC, Omaha, NE
Purpose
Evaluate differences between Society of Interventional Radiology general membership and government, Veterans Administration employees in relation to occupational health and radiation safety behavior patterns and opinion.
Materials & Methods
A HIPIAA compliant and IRB approved, survey was developed buy a member of the SIR in cooperation with VA VISN 23 Radiology Service line leadership. The survey was administered through, and in cooperation with, the Society of Interventional Radiology Radiation safety committee. The survey was sent to all SIR members (5142) via Survey Monkey TM. 706 responses (13.7% rate). A total of 56 responses derived from VA and federal employees. Data from the descriptive survey was then sub analyzed by the UNMC department of public health. Several statistical metrics were utilized to determine significant differences in general SIR membership opinion versus government and Veterans Administration employees.
Results
There are significant difference in discomfort between government/VA workers and non-government workers. 83.6% of VA workers report discomfort vs. 69.4% of non-VA workers. (p = 0.018 Chi Sq). Additional differences in number of reported discomforts between workers, with 37.5% / 35.7% of government/VA workers reporting 2, or more than 2, areas of discomfort compared with 23.3% and 28.8% of non-VA workers, respectively (p = 0.017).In addition, there are differences in IR participation on their institution's radiation safety committee; 12.7% of VA vs. 31.7 % Non VA employees. (p=0.011 CS). Several additional differences noted, including differences in occupational health knowledge and regulatory compliance.
Conclusions
Although federal employee SIR members complain of greater physical stress and less ownership and involvement with Radiation and occupational safety, Federal facilities appear to have higher enforcement and more strict enforcement for excess radiation exposure than non federal employee SIR members