Implementasi Pemahaman Radiografer terhadap Exposure Index dalam Optimasi Prosedur Pemeriksaan Radiografi Computed Radiography

Abstract

Background: Increasing the exposure factor is often carried out by radiographers to reduce noise and maintain image quality in computer radiography (CR). Therefore, there is a need for awareness and knowledge of the exposure index (EI) to implement optimization procedures in radiographic examinations.
Methods: The research method is descriptive and analytical by providing questionnaires to radiographers regarding awareness and knowledge of optimization procedures in radiographic examinations using CR, as well as analyzing EI data used in PA chest radiographic examinations. This research was carried out in 3 places at hospitals A, B, and C in the Jakarta-Bogor area with the research carried out between August – October 2023. Statistical analysis used SPSS 27 with data coding previously. After that, the data is processed with descriptive statistics to determine the frequency, distribution, percentage, average, and standard deviation. Then, the test chi-square to determine the relationship between gender, age, education, and work experience in knowledge CR optimization procedures. Next, to find out the relationship between age and weight and EI, a test was carried out by Pearson test to determine the level of relationship between the two variables.
Results: Was found that the level of awareness and knowledge of radiographers regarding optimization procedures using EI is still low, due to lack of participation in training or seminars on radiation protection for patients. Test results chi-square age-knowledge p-value 0.309, gender-knowledge p-value 0.772, education-knowledge p-value 0.036, experience-knowledge p-value 0.201. next are the test results Pearson for Hospital-A: age-EI r=0.09, weight-EI r=-0.49, Hospital-B: age-EI r=-0.21, weight-EI r=0.06, Hospital-C: age-EI r=-0.37, weight-EI r=0.56.
Conclusions: The application of EI in optimization procedures needs to consider measuring the radiation dose in units of patient absorbed dose (mGy) or dose area product (DAP) when analyzing the determination of optimization procedures in radiographic examinations. Apart from that, the involvement of radiographers in attending seminars and training is an important factor in increasing awareness and knowledge in implementing optimization procedures on patients.