Professional Assessment of Radiation Safety Management Practices in Diagnostic Radiology Departments Across Kano State Hospitals

Effective radiation safety management in diagnostic radiology departments is essential for protecting patients, healthcare workers, and ancillary staff from unnecessary ionizing radiation exposure. This study conducts a professional assessment of radiation safety management practices in eight general hospitals and three specialist centers in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Data collection employed a structured checklist aligned with the International Atomic Energy Agency Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3 and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority Radiological Safety Regulations. Assessment dimensions include availability of radiation protection officer appointments, personal dosimetry programs, protective equipment provision, room shielding adequacy, and staff training records. Forty-two radiographers and radiologists participated in structured interviews, and operational records were reviewed over a three-year retrospective period. Results reveal that only 38 percent of assessed facilities maintain functional personal dosimetry programs for all radiation workers, and shielding verification surveys had not been conducted in the past five years at four of the eleven facilities. Protective aprons were available but found to be damaged or improperly stored in six facilities. The study applies a weighted scoring framework to rank facilities by radiation safety compliance and categorizes them into high, medium, and low performance tiers. Identified gaps are mapped to specific regulatory requirements to facilitate targeted remedial action. Recommendations address training curricula reform, mandatory dosimetry, and establishment of a state-level radiation safety audit framework. Keywords: radiation safety, diagnostic radiology, Kano State, regulatory compliance, occupational dose