Worried about radiation exposure..

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

SharonSP — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 22:53:01 GMT

[quote user="Jill Butterworth"]

We leave a badge permanently stuck on the wall next to the Xray table because people are so forgetful, and it has never had a reading.

[/quote]

Our nursing staff are pretty good at wearing badges, vets are a bit hit and miss with them, but we do have one badge in the x ray room at least 2 metres from the tube head stuck to the wall that is used as an environmental control and it gets sent off with our badges...we have never had a reading on it.

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

Jill Butterworth — Wed, 31 May 2017 21:36:16 GMT

Don't panic, a brick wall is fine. Practices can't take radiographs without the site having an RPA and associated protocols. We leave a badge permanently stuck on the wall next to the Xray table because people are so forgetful, and it has never had a reading.

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

Sal the 1st — Sat, 27 May 2017 19:13:26 GMT

[quote user="VetNurse Anon a/c"]

However, a new vet has started and has spoken up about his concerns with this method. The wall isn't lead lined so he feels it's not safe enough for us to be standing behind it.

[/quote]

Where has this new vet come from? - unless you are doing horizontal beam, fluoroscopy or high output in a small area and can't get far enough away from the beam, you don't collimate, you have some sort of specialist use worthy of a Frankenstein film (which might be an idea to keep quiet about - you don't want to scare the neighbours), have walls that will physically take the weight of the lead without bringing the place down (and yes I can name a practice where this started to happen) and a practice with deep enough pockets to afford it? Lead is very rarely used these days because of the expense unless it is absolutely needed. They started to replace it somewhere around 1925/30 ( so fairly recently!) with barium paint, then barium plaster and now would you believe barium plasterboard.

But jesting aside- never be blase with Xrays but don't let people scare you without reason either. Just be sensible - take the advised precautions to minimise exposure and speak to your RPS/RPA

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

VetNurse Anon a/c — Fri, 26 May 2017 22:59:53 GMT

Unfortunately we have been really slack at wearing our dosimeters. As Nick has pointed out it's our responsibility to wear them... so a bit of a wake up call! And possibly a reminder to everyone to ensure they are doing so.

It's silly, but I was always made to feel like a 'goody two shoes' when I put my dosimeter on. I wish I had the confidence back then to stand up for myself and tell those who sniggered at me to shut up!

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

Nick Shackleton — Fri, 26 May 2017 12:23:31 GMT

I'll give you my opinion on the matter. As others have said Walls don't necessarily need to be lead lined. Thick brick walls should be sufficient to prevent scatter. Unless you're doing horizontal beam radiographs?? Also remember back to your training and the inverse square law. For every 2 meters you stand from the primary beam you quater the dose of radiation you receive. with regards to dose badges as an employee it is your responsibility to wear it. It's a form of PPE. your employer provides it, but you make the choice whether to wear it or not. whether you're in a converted building or new build when the X-ray equipment was installed a risk assessment and radiation surveys should have been carried out by your RPS & RPA. readings will of been taken from outside the room to ensure it was sufficiently shirlded. If you have any other questions I am happy to answer them.

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

bumble bee — Fri, 26 May 2017 11:13:47 GMT

You should get a report back with your dosimeters.Your HN or PM should make this available for you to check &/or advise anyone with an exposure reading to refrain from xraying for a period of time. I would ask to see the reports and put your mind at rest.

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

VetNurse Anon a/c — Fri, 26 May 2017 09:01:32 GMT

Thanks Nicky! I'll look into this

RE: Worried about radiation exposure..

Nicola Smith — Fri, 26 May 2017 08:56:51 GMT

You should have a radiation protection adviser who should have drawn up all your local rules and come round to review things regularly- have a check who yours is and when they last paid a visit. I don't think walls necessarily need to be lead lined if sufficient distance away if they are solid e.g. breeze block. Your rpa should have took dose readings from where your exposures are taken to ensure its safe.