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MAGNETO-THERAPY IN PHYSIOTHERAPY UNITS: INTRODUCTION OF QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURE DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE
- Source :
- Radiation Protection Dosimetry.
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 2019.
-
Abstract
- Rehabilitation practice for many patients consisting of a combined use of magneto therapy resulting emission of low frequency magnetic fields to the patient, elicit concerns about occupational exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for the operators. The time extended use of the device periodically leads to mechanical failures or troubleshooting of the machine which, in most cases, are not perceived by the operator of the device. All device’s efficient functionality have a major impact on the completion of the treatment procedure in a large percentage of specific clinical conditions. If the device’s operating condition is technically out of order or in a mode of over-activity, operators are mainly seeking solutions by reviewing the clinical case of the patient. This eliminates their contribution during the primary therapeutic plan or increases the treatment sessions. In this work, an extended survey is presented including 75 physiotherapy centres concerning usability and maintenance issues of magneto therapy devices throughout Greek territory combined with extended measurements of Electromagnetic Radiation in the unit room were performed. Physiotherapists’ perceptions revealed lack of technical support, maintenance and safe use of magneto therapy devices that extract auxiliary observations upon their clinical practice routines. Additionally safety measurements have not revealed field strengths over International Reference Levels which could result health risks for users and coexisting patients. The pilot survey that conducted in Attica and Western Greece confirms that magnetic fields strength that are measured are in accordance with the statutory legislation but will, at the same time, revealed lack of maintenance of the devices. Deficiency in topics such as proper equipment function will necessitate the creation of quality safety protocols, concerning the use of magneto-therapy, with the main aim the improvement of treatment procedures for the higher performance of therapeutic rehabilitation services to patients. Finally in this work, the proposal of a QC protocol for magnetotherapy devices is proposed for evaluation.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Quality Control
medicine.medical_specialty
Computer science
medicine.medical_treatment
media_common.quotation_subject
Pilot Projects
Troubleshooting
030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging
Magnetics
03 medical and health sciences
Technical support
Patient safety
Electromagnetic Fields
Radiation Protection
0302 clinical medicine
Diathermy
Radiation Monitoring
Reference Values
Occupational Exposure
Surveys and Questionnaires
medicine
Humans
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging
Quality (business)
Radiation Injuries
Physical Therapy Modalities
media_common
Protocol (science)
Radiation
Rehabilitation
Greece
Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
business.industry
Electromagnetic Radiation
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Usability
General Medicine
Middle Aged
Work (electrical)
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Physical therapy
Female
Patient Safety
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 17423406 and 01448420
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Radiation Protection Dosimetry
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....6f90113f02535ecd8b83d09554dbf060