What is Medical Physics?
It is the branch of physical science that applies the principles of Physics to Medicine with the aim of preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Medical Physics has applications both in the field of ionizing radiation—relating to quality assurance in the specialties of Radiodiagnosis/Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, and Interventional Radiology—as well as in the field of non-ionizing radiation—relating to quality assurance of magnetic resonance imaging systems, ultrasound scanners, infrared radiation, and laser devices.
The department is based at Nicosia General Hospital and provides services to all Hospitals and Health Centers belonging to the Organization, as well as to private hospitals. Additionally, it provides services to other Governmental Sectors such as the Fire Service, the National Guard, the State General Laboratory, the University of Cyprus, etc.
The services provided include:
Applied to all diagnostic systems installed in the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Departments of OKYPY public hospitals. The programme also includes shielding adequacy checks for diagnostic imaging rooms, optimization of medical exposure protocols, provision of consultancy services on radiation protection, preparation of documentation for licensing, license renewal, license modification for medical centers, and determination of local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs).
It is the only one of its kind in the Republic of Cyprus and performs calibrations of radiation measurement instruments in the fields of Diagnostic Radiology, Mammography, Radiation Protection, and Personal Dosimetry, serving both public and private institutions.
In a recent comparison exercise carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) between May and June 2021 in the field of Radiation Protection, the Laboratory’s results demonstrated full compliance, with a deviation of <1% (while deviations of ±7% are considered acceptable).
Measurement of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) for staff, patients, and facilities. Approximately 900 workers are monitored annually (53% from OKYPY and 47% from the private sector).
The Department was recently awarded the Silver Award at the Cyprus HealthCare Business Awards 2020 for the system it developed regarding the transfer and archiving of medical images, which in recent years has represented a significant innovation with multiple benefits for both the Organization and the Cypriot patient.
This includes representation of the Ministry of Health on the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Council, the OKYPY Scientific Council, and the Ministry of Health’s expert group on non-ionizing radiation, specifically concerning public exposure to electromagnetic radiation in the radiofrequency/5G spectrum.
Officers of the Department provide specialized services and knowledge necessary for the procurement of medical-technological equipment involving ionizing radiation.
Head of Department:
Prodromos A. Kaplanis, PhD
Appointments and Information
