Establishing a radiation protection apparel quality control program in nine diagnostic center

Congress:

EuroSafe Imaging 2018

Poster Number:

ESI-0015

Type:

EuroSafe Imaging

Keywords:

Audit and standards, Fluoroscopy, CT, Conventional radiography, Radioprotection / Radiation dose, Radiographers, Action 5 - Performance indicators for radiation protection management, Action 3 - Image quality assessment based on clinical indications, Action 9 - Development of criteria for safe imaging procedures, Action 4 - Quality of radiological equipment, Diagnostic procedure, Quality assurance

Authors:

M. Barati, C. Paraskevopoulou, A. Papachristodoulou, K. Katsari, R. Illing

DOI:

10.1594/esi2018/ESI-0015

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/esi2018/ESI-0015

Fig. 1: Radiation Protection Program in Radiology

Fig. 2: Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine

Fig. 3: Radiation Protection Apparel Quality Control Technical Guidelines

Table 1: Type and number of RPA

Background/introduction

To reduce radiation exposure, radiation protection apparel (RPA) use is recommended both for patients and personnel [1, 2]. A quality control program establishing the processes and procedures to monitor, store, clean, tag, control for presence of lead dust and dispose must be an integral part of the radiation protection program in all diagnostic imaging departments.

Description of activity and work performed

Affidea has established a Radiation Protection Program for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine departments (Images 1, 2) in which RPA quality control is included. Technical guidelines (Image 3) are in place for the following processes: Identification and unique labelling of RPA Radiographic/fluoroscopic, visual and tactile inspection of RPA for damage Control for presence of lead dust on the external surface of RPA Cleaning and storage of RPA Disposal of RPA Identification and labelling In the nine radiology and nuclear medicine departments concerned, the number and type...

Conclusion and recommendations

RPAs are used to reduce radiation exposure of patients and personnel. A quality control program is very important to be established and followed to ensure patient and personnel safety as part of the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle. A training course detailing the processes and procedures is part of the education program of all the radiographers to facilitate the accurate performance of the RPAs quality control program. In the last years there is a tendency for lead RPA to be replaced by lead-free,...

Personal/organisational information

Mr Milan Barati, Radiographer, Affidea St. Margit Hospital, Budapest, Hungary Ms Chryssa Paraskevopoulou, MSc Medical Physicist, Affidea BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands Dr Athanasia Papachristodoulou, Radiologist, Affidea Thessaloniki, Greece Ms Katia Katsari, MSc Chief Medical Physicist, Affidea BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands Prof. Dr Rowland Illing, DM MRCS FRCR, Radiologist, Chief Medical Officer, Affidea BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands

References

IAEA Safety Report Series No. 39: Applying radiation safety standards in diagnostic radiology and interventional procedures using X-Rays, IAEA. IAEA Safety Standard Series No. RS-G-1.5: Radiation protection for medical exposure to ionizing radiation, 2002. Clements J, et al: Best practices for evaluating and tracking protective garments. J Am Coll Radiology 2015; 12:531-2. The Use and Care of Lead Protective Equipment. Division of Health Service Regulation. NC Department of Health and Human Service. Lambert K. & McKeon T.: Inspection of Lead Aprons: Criteria for Rejection. Health...