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. 2024 Sep 21:32:100278.
doi: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100278. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Assessment of usage, reuse and disposal of thermoplastic masks among radiotherapy technologists in India: A nationwide perspective

M Nagesh  1 , Rohit Vadgaonkar  1 , K K Sreelakshmi  1 , Raghavendra Hajare  1 , Pritam Parab  1 , Subhabrat Dash  1 , Ramesh Reddy  1 , Vaishali Shende  1 , Ankita Nawar  1 , Rahul Biswas  1 , Sandeep Ratna Bula  1 , Shubham Gagare  1 , Darshani Belekar  1 , Raviteja Miriyala  1 , Umesh Mahantshetty  1
Affiliations

Assessment of usage, reuse and disposal of thermoplastic masks among radiotherapy technologists in India: A nationwide perspective

M Nagesh et al. Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol. .

Abstract

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) relies on devices like thermoplastic masks (TMs), that are made up of specialized thermoplastic polymers, and used as an immobilization tool. The study aims to assess the practice of usage and reuse of TMs among radiation therapy technologists (RTTs) in India and explore their awareness of environmental impact during disposal.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among RTTs working in different healthcare settings. A structured questionnaire designed by a team of RTTs and radiation oncologists was used to collect responses. Questionnaire encompassed data pertaining to demographics, existing patient load, daily utilisation and reuse practice of TMs, preferred method of disposal and awareness of RTTs regarding environmental consequences associated with TM disposal.

Results: A total of 430 RTTs participated in the study, with a median age of 31 years and a median professional experience of 8 years. Among the participants, 213 (49.6 %) reported daily TM utilization in more than 50 patients. TM reuse was reported by 350 (81.1 %) RTTs, with 257 (60 %) reusing TMs in both curative and palliative treatments. Reuse of TMs was observed more commonly in RTTs working in government facilities (81.2 %).Regarding disposal preferences, 381 (88.6%) participants preferred discarding used TMs in biomedical waste and 64.8% of these ultimately ended up as discarded scrap. Awareness regarding adverse environmental impact associated with TM disposal was reported by 320 (74.4%) participant RTTs.

Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalent practice of reuse of TMs, especially in curative treatments, government-run facilities and busy treatment settings. Additionally, it emphasises the imperative for enhanced bio-medical waste management practices to facilitate more effective handling and disposal of used TMs.

Keywords: Biomedical waste; Immobilization device; Radiotherapy; Radiotherapy technologist; Thermoplastic mask.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Patterns of reuse of thermoplastic masks by radiotherapy technologists (n = 430).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Patterns of reuse of thermoplastic masks in curative setting as per technique (n = 257).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Patterns of reuse of thermoplastic masks in palliative setting as per mask type (n = 350).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Reported predominant patterns of disposal of used thermoplastic masks by RTTs (n = 430) Small pie chart describes reported final disposal of discarded thermoplastic masks in hospital waste.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Awareness of RTTs about adverse impact of discarded thermoplastic masks on environment (n = 430).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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