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Written by: Zheng Cuibi
2021-02-09 19:14
The last update date: 2021-02-09 19:22
The Department of Health stated today (9th) that the student health service under the department had outsourced X-ray services to a contractor since November last year. However, when examining student X-rays in January this year, it was found that the breast shielding device was not Placed in the correct position, the contractor also noticed that the gonadal shielding device was not used.
If the relevant shielding device is not used, the additional radiation dose is approximately equivalent to "one-tenth the amount of natural background radiation received each year."
The Department of Health requires contractors to comply with contract requirements to properly use breast and gonad shielding devices.
Schematic.
The X-ray film in the picture is not the X-ray film involved.
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Started outsourcing in November, January inspection of X-ray film exposure incident
The Department of Health stated that since November last year, the student health service under the department has outsourced its scoliosis examination X-ray service to a contractor. The contract requires the contractor to perform spinal X-ray examinations for students at the same time. Use breast and gonad shielding devices.
However, when the Student Health Service reviewed the student’s X-rays in January this year, it was the first time that the breast shielding device was not placed in the correct position, and the gonadal shielding device was not used.
The Department of Health recognizes that there may be "very low if any" health risks
A spokesperson for the Department of Health stated that if the relevant shielding device is not used, the additional radiation dose is equivalent to approximately one-tenth of the natural background radiation received by Hong Kong citizens each year; The amount of natural background radiation received.
The spokesperson also said that the radiation dose of a single spinal X-ray examination is low. Although the use of shielding devices may further reduce the radiation dose, even if the relevant shielding devices are not used in a single spinal X-ray examination, there are additional health risks. If so, it is extremely low."
The X-ray contractor of the Student Health Service of the Department of Health provides students with no shielding of breast and gonads during X-rays.
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The Department of Health stated that it has immediately requested the contractor to correct the problem to ensure compliance with the relevant contract requirements. The Department will continue to follow up and closely monitor the performance of the contractor.
The Department of Health is contacting and telling the affected students or their parents of the incident.
Students and their parents who have been referred by the Student Health Service to the contractor for spinal X-ray examination from November 23, 2020 to January 12, 2021, if they have any enquiries, please call the Student Health Service Hotline 3163 4612 during office hours .
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