Tag: radiation safety

Personal Radiation Monitoring Devices: Features and Safety Issues

personal radiation monitoring devices

National regulations determine whether healthcare providers who work in radiology departments require radiation monitoring. In some countries it is mandatory for all personnel exposed to radiation to wear dose-monitoring badges. If individual monitoring is not mandatory, it may be useful to monitor the workplace by placing a dosimeter at a point of interest such as the operator’s position during the image acquisition. In addition, special precautions may be necessary for pregnant workers. Are you monitoring your radiation exposure at work? Do you know the correct way to use your radiation monitoring device? Read about the features of personal radiation monitoring devices used by radiologic technologists.

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Occupational Radiation Exposure Limit: Are You Safe?

occupational radiation exposure limit

Radiologic technologists and other healthcare workers are exposed to X-rays in the course of their work duties. There are certain occupational radiation exposure limits for X-ray techs. Remaining within these limits is essential for safety in the workplace. Read on to refresh your knowledge on the key safety limits with regards to occupational radiation exposure.

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Radiation Protection Clothes for X-ray Techs

radiation protection clothes

Several types of radiation protection clothes are available to X-ray techs. The use of these garments protects radiologic technologists from exposure to scatter radiation. However, some imaging modalities are associated with a very low exposure to occupational radiation exposure. Radiologic technologists performing these examinations may not require special radiation protection clothes.

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Reducing Radiation Exposure in Digital Imaging

reducing radiation exposure with equipment configuration
A fluoroscope with an overcouch configuration

Digital imaging techniques provide important information to healthcare professionals. But, exposure to ionizing radiation can be harmful to patients. In digital fluoroscopy, an increase in the number of images per exam reveals greater diagnostic information but is associated with an increased dose. Similarly, magnification improves spatial resolution and image quality but may lead to an increase in skin dose. High-dose mode is associated with an improvement in image quality but is associated with a high radiation dose to the patient. What are some of the methods of reducing radiation exposure? What can X-ray techs do to follow the ALARA principle and ensure the safety of their patients?

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Implementing Radiation Safety in Digital Radiography

implementing radiation safety
PACS helps improve efficiency in radiology departments

Digital radiography is a powerful tool in the medical management of patients. It has distinct advantages over film-screen technology in terms of image acquisition (wide dynamic range), image manipulation (post-processing functions), and image distribution (electronic transfer and archiving). Digital radiography equipment provides diagnostic information that is equal to or superior to film-screen systems at comparable radiation doses. It is therefore an important technological advancement that has aided RTs in implementing radiation safety. It should be noted that conventional radiographic images can be converted to a digital format with a digitizer for electronic storage and some post-processing. However, such converted images are not considered true digital radiographic images.

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Radiation Safety for Healthcare Workers

radiation safety of healthcare workers
A healthcare worker positions a patient for a mammogram

It is estimated that approximately 1 million people employed in health facilities around the world are exposed to radiation in the course of their work duties. This makes the radiation safety of healthcare workers an important consideration. The International Labor Organization regards any exposure to ionizing radiation received at the workplace as occupational exposure. A healthcare worker’s total radiation exposure also includes natural background exposure received during working hours. However, since the latter is a consequence of living on Planet Earth and occurs regardless of occupation, it is not the responsibility of the employer and is not subject to regulatory controls.

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