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Mafraq Takes Lead Role In Monitoring Abu Dhabi’s Medical Staff For Exposure To X-Ray Radiation |
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Phase one to cover all doctors, technicians and nurses in SEHA HealthSystem facilities. Phase two to reach all private medical centre staff working in radiation field in the Emirate.Abu Dhabi’s Mafraq Hospital is to take the lead role in monitoring those members of staff in all SEHA HealthSystem medical facilities who are in regular contact with X-Ray machines to ensure they are not exposed to harmful levels of radiation. Using a process known as Radiation Dosimetry Reading, the Hospital’s expert team, led by Dr Nouman Habbab, will track the daily exposure levels of medical staff across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Mafraq Hospital is owned and operated by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for all the curative activities of public hospitals and clinics in Abu Dhabi. The hospital is managed by Bumrungrad International, one of the most renowned hospital management companies in Asia, recognised internationally for its commitment to patient care and customer service. As Mafraq Hospital has monitored its own staff with a Radiation Dosimetry Reader for more than three years, the hospital has built-up specialist knowledge which will now be used for the benefit of all Abu Dhabi Government medical establishment employees. After operating for two months, the programme will be extended to cover private medical facilities’ staff across the Emirate. Each member of staff in regular contact with X-Ray machines will wear a photosensitive badge to capture background radiation levels during their time at work. The information on the badges will be extracted by the Radiation Dosimetry Reader at Mafraq Hospital and the results then analysed by staff trained to identify any anomalies or abnormalities in the readings, ensuring that all employees stay safely within recommended global guidelines of exposure. John Nickens, CEO of Mafraq Hospital says, “Protecting our staff and ensuring their safety and wellbeing while they go about their work has always been a priority for Mafraq Hospital. Having built up expertise in the highly specialised area of Radiation Dosimetry Reading, we are now in a position to be able to share this knowledge across the SEHA HealthSystem which includes 11 other hospitals and more than 60 ambulatory, family and primary healthcare clinics. Being able to contribute to the heath and safety of our dedicated medical teams across the emirate is something we are very proud to be able to do.” Dr Nouman Habbab, Chair of Clinical Imaging, added: “Radiation exposure from medical equipment is minimal, but because some medical staff work with equipment like X-rays daily - often over a career spanning a lifetime, precautions need to be taken. By reading daily radiation levels and monitoring people’s exposure on a constant basis, we are able to ensure that no one suffers as a result of entering a profession where they work to protect and improve the health of others. It’s a vital and very rewarding role for our team at Mafraq Hospital.” The Mafraq Hospital Radiation Dosimetry programme has been developed to meet Joint Commission International (JCI) guidelines and is licensed by the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi, the government’s healthcare regulatory and licensing body. |
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