1. Week 2 :Radiation Protection
RTEC 111
Bushong
Ch 1 & 38

2. Do I have your attention?

5. Why are x-rays harmful?

8. Reduction of Occupational Radiation Exposure
Radiography as a profession is very safe .. if you follow the ALARA rules
Most technologist exposure occurs from fluoroscopy exams and mobile exams
During all fluoroscopy and mobile exams technologists should wear a protective apron
The primary beam should never be pointed at the tech or other staff… primary at the patient!

9. ALARA ALWAYS KEEP RADIATION EXPOSURES AS LOW AS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE
Can you think
of ways to do this?

10. CARDINAL RULES OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Time
Distance
Shielding

12. TIME
The exposure is to be kept as short as possible because the exposure is directly proportional to time.
20 mrem = 2min
10 mrem = 1min

13. DISTANCE
Distance from the radiation source should be kept as great as possible
Physical Law:
Inverse Square Law

14. INTENSITY IS SPREAD OUT…

15. Position
When primary beam is on.. Your distance should be kept as great as possible
The dead man foot or hand switch should be used sparingly
The closer you are to the patient or primary beam the more exposure you are receiving.

16. Holding patients ECC policy:
STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS ARE NOT PERMITED TO HOLD PATIENTS FOR PROPER POSITIONING DURING EXPOSURES
Mechanical devices should be used

17. Immobilization

18. Holding patients
Otherwise, a relative or friend accompanying the patient should be asked to help
Occasionally, other hospital employees such as nurses and orderlies may be asked to help
Radiology staff should never hold patients

19. If holding a patient is required…
Use shielding
Apron, gloves, thyroid shield, glasses
Avoid exposing assisting person to the primary beam.

20. SHIELDING
A lead protective shield is placed between the x-ray tube and the individuals exposed, absorbing unnecessary radiation

22. Primary Barriers

23. SHIELDING TECHNOLOGIST . 25 mm LEAD LEAD APRON, GLOVES
THYROID SHIELD, GLASSES
PATIENT –
GONAD SHEILDING
. 5 mm LEAD

24. GONAD SHIELDING MUST BE . 5 MM OF LEAD
MUST BE USED WHEN GONADS WILL LIE WITHING 5 CM OF THE COLLIMATED AREA (RHB)
KUB. Lumbar Spine Pelvis
male vs female shielding

25. TYPES OF SHIELDING
Flat or contact
Shaped
Shadow

26. Flat/Contact

28. Shadow Shield

30. Your first exam! 2V CXR
A wrap-around apron would be better
Why?

31. Minimizing radiation exposure
Is easy the equipment is designed to !!
Filtration
Intensifying screens
Protective barriers
Mechanical restraining devices

32. Filtration REDUCES PATIENT EXPOSURES
REMOVES LOW ENERGY PHOTONS

33. Minimizing radiation exposure
Is easy when technologist and student technologist are informed!
Collimation
Protective apparel/Gonadal shielding

35. Permissible Occupational Dose
Annual dose:
5 rem / year 50 mSv / year
Cumulative Dose
1rem x age mSv X age

36. Occupational Dose ANNUAL LIMITS
WHOLE BODY = 5 rem / 5000 mRem
LENS OF THE EYE = 15 rem
EXTREMITIES = 50 rem

37. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES
5 rem / YEAR
BUT NOT TO EXCEED 1.25 rem/QUARTER
OLD “MPD 5(Age – 18)”

38. PUBLIC EXPOSURE 10 % OF OCCUPATIONAL NON MEDICAL EXPOSURE
(MUST BE MONITORED IF ABOVE 10%)
NON MEDICAL EXPOSURE
.1 rem OR 100 mrem OR 1 mSv (Freq)
.5 rem OR 500 mrem OR 5 mSv (Infreq)
UNDER AGE 18 & STUDENTS
.1 rem OR 1 mSv

39. Personnel Monitoring Devices
Film Badges
TLD / OSL
Pocket Dosimeter
Ring Badge

41. Occupational radiation monitor does NOT protect against radiation exposure!

42. Occupational radiation monitor
Should be a life time dose record
Should NOT be worn when YOU are the patient
Should be left at the hospital for safe keeping
Should be stored in a radiation free area

44. Pregnancy & Embryo
Mother –
occupational worker (5 rem)
Baby – (500 mrem)
.5 rem/ year .05 rem/month
5 mSv mSv / month

45. Declared Pregnant Worker
Must declare pregnancy – 2 badges provided
1 worn at collar (Mother’s exposure)
1 worn inside apron at waist level
Under 5 rad – negligible risk
Risk increases above 15 rad
Recommend abortion (spontaneous)
25 rad

46. Fetal Exposure (“Baby exposure” approx 1/1000 of ESE)
ALWAYS ASK LMP before exposure made … any females that could be exposed to primary or scatter

47. Reduction of unnecessary patient dose
Unnecessary exam
If the order is unclear…clarify
If the order is wrong.. Fix it
Repeat exams

48. Patient Positioning
When ever possible primary exposure to the gonads, breasts, lenses of the eyes and thyroid should be avoided.
Especially female patients… perform exams PA as apposed to AP
PA = posterior anterior
AP = anterior posterior

49. I don’t think so…..

50. That’s all folks….Questions?