Occupational study and zoning in an operating theater: practical application based on a six-step methodology

摘要

The practical implementation of occupational studies and zoning in the operating theater is complex because of the environment, the constraints and the activity in this sector. The aim of our study is to illustrate the application, within the University Hospital of Nimes, of the method defined in Duverger et al. (2015) [Etude de poste et zonage aux blocs operatoires : methodologie pratique en six etapes, Radioprotection 50 (4), 287-293] by presenting the results obtained for 3 surgical specialties (orthopedics, urology and vascular). Based on the established dosimetric database, a large proportion (> 85%) of the activity with ionizing radiation in each specialty is gathered into 3 (urology) or 5 (orthopedics and vascular) types of operations. These types of operations are simulated in order to assess the exposure at each workstation. The zoning of each room is obtained from a proportion of each type of operation in the most disadvantageous room for each specialty. The activity gathered is then extrapolated to the total activity for the occupational studies and zoning of each specialty. The results obtained allow us to propose a classification of all agents into category B. The green controlled area calculated is extended to the walls, and the adjacent areas are classified as non-restricted areas. The application of this method based on 6 stages overcomes the difficulties encountered in this sector.