Abstract:
Medical organizations that use high-activity radioactive sources must maintain a high degree of reliability while operating in settings that are comparatively open to patients, visitors, contractors, and rotating staff. In such circumstances, the efficacy of security measures is contingent not solely on technical and procedural aspects but also on organizational factors, including leadership behaviors, communication routines, procedural usability, and the propensity to address concerns promptly. This paper examines security culture self-assessment as a practical governance instrument for diagnosing these conditions and translating findings into focused improvement.
The paper synthesizes a concise overview of security culture expectations in medical high-reliability organizations, integrating an anonymized practice illustration from a private radiotherapy organization that uses high-activity sources. A structured questionnaire was administered across professional groups, resulting in full participation. The quantitative aggregation was complemented by qualitative comments and a convergence/divergence lens to distinguish shared perceptions from inconsistent experiences across roles and shifts. The illustration demonstrates the efficacy of self-assessment in identifying both strengths, such as strong personal responsibility norms, and vulnerabilities characteristic of clinical service settings, including uneven internal communication, contractor interfaces, and limited visibility of follow-through.
The paper proposes an implementation roadmap that builds international guidance and cross-sector tools. The roadmap covers preparation and confidentiality safeguards, instrument tailoring, participation management compatible with clinical operations, analysis methods that support prioritization, and follow-through mechanisms (action registers, ownership, indicators, and repeat cycles). The contribution targets managers and policymakers seeking implementable methods to strengthen security performance in medical organizations handling radioactive sources.
