Radiation Protection - Carestream DRX-Revolution Safety And Regulatory Information Manual

Safety and Regulatory Information

Radiation Protection

1-8
Because exposure to high levels of X-radiation may pose a health risk,
operators must ensure that they use all available methods to reduce their
radiation dose to a level that is As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
This includes protection from the primary beam as well as scattered
radiation. Protection from excessive amounts of exposure is accomplished
using a combination of engineering and administrative controls.
• Portable Barriers and Lead Aprons—Portable barriers and lead
aprons may be needed to protect personnel from scattered radiation if
operators need to be in close contact with the patient. Make sure that the
shielding and aprons have sufficient lead equivalence, as determined by a
qualified Health or Medical Physicist, and are maintained properly for
maximum benefit.
• Procedures—Always follow the procedures of your institution to ensure
proper protection.
• Training—Medical equipment should be operated by trained personnel
only. Most regulatory agencies require that medical diagnostic procedures
be done only by properly licensed individuals. Consult your state or local
agencies for more information.
• Radiation Survey—Monitor the exterior of the X-ray facility (outside the
primary protective barrier) and control room periodically to ensure that
dose rates meet design objectives for allowable radiation exposures. A
qualified Health or Medical Physicist should use only calibrated equipment
for this survey.
• Personal Monitoring—Monitor occupational workers that use X-ray
equipment for X-ray exposure to ensure that established controls are
functioning properly and procedures are being followed. Typically, film
badges or similar devices are used. Film badges use X-ray sensitive film
enclosed in a holder that incorporates metal filters of varying degrees of
transparency to X-ray radiation. Even though this device only measures the
radiation reaching the area of the body on which it is worn, it provides an
indication of the amount of radiation received. Film badges can also be
used as area dosimeters on the outside perimeter of the X-ray facility and
control room to verify dose rates.
Film badges are available from a number of distributors. Consult your
institution's Radiation Safety Officer for further information.
Use a source-to-skin distance as large as possible to keep
IMPORTANT:
the absorbed dose as low as reasonably achievable. The
Operator Console must be located where there is audio and
visual communication between the radiographer and the
patient.
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