How to Hang a Lead Apron?
Lead aprons are a crucial protective garment in radiology and interventional surgery. Most medical teams have many in stock in imaging rooms and storage areas to accommodate ongoing needs in daily procedures, such as X-rays and fluoroscopy.
It’s important to consider effective ways to store the lead aprons. Finding a suitable storage solution can help maintain organization and keep the garments from deteriorating prematurely. Improper storage can damage aprons, shorten their lifespan, or make them less effective. Therefore, you must choose the right solutions, like hanging them on sturdy racks using proper techniques.
How do you hang a lead apron? We’ll detail that in the rest of this article. Plus, we’ll cover the dos and don’ts of different storage solutions to empower you to make the best decisions for your facility.
How to Hang a Lead Apron: The Proper Method to Store Lead Protective Garments
The optimal way to store lead-protective garments like lead aprons is by hanging them on heavy-duty hangers or hooks on the wall by both shoulder pads. Proper storage helps manage apron inventory effectively by ensuring that each apron is accessible and maintained in good condition. It is also important to select the appropriate apron rack for storage to protect lead aprons from damage. Hanging performs the best compared to other storage methods since it keeps lead aprons straight and crease-free.
Why Decreasing Folds and Creases is Crucial
When aprons accumulate folds, creases, or bunching due to improper storage, it can cause damage to the core material in the long term. Common damages include holes, cracks, or tears in the protective lead layer. Research published by Radiography Open in 2020 states that such defects might result in reduced shielding capabilities for lead aprons.
Therefore, proper lead apron storage and maintenance are crucial. Even if lead aprons are hung properly, it’s still important to have them inspected annually using deep X-ray scans that can identify issues early due to everyday usage wearing down the garments. We can help with this step at Radiological Care Services (RCS).
How Should Aprons Be Stored?
As mentioned, the ideal option is proper lead apron storage, which involves hanging lead aprons on heavy-duty hangers and storage racks.
Hanging Lead Aprons
You can hang lead aprons on steel hangers with upturned edges that keep them centered for even weight distribution and prevent them from slipping off.
Here are some tips to hang lead aprons appropriately:
Always hang them from both shoulder panels. Hanging them from only one shoulder panel is a common mistake that can cause the material to tear or bunch.
Make sure the weight of the apron is evenly distributed on the hanger.
Smooth it out once it’s on the hanger to prevent bunching or creasing.
Lead Apron Storage Racks
It’s important to store lead aprons on a heavy-duty rack that can withstand their weight, and considering the weight capacity of storage racks is crucial to ensure safety and functionality. Common types of storage racks include:
Mobile lead apron racks that are equipped with wheels. They provide a flexible solution, allowing facilities to easily adjust their layout or transport aprons between rooms. These racks often feature heavy-duty casters and durable materials to support a specified weight capacity, ensuring they can accommodate heavy protective garments safely.
Freestanding apron racks that provide a central storage option. These are often large and sturdy, so they’re a good choice for facilities with many aprons in use and storage areas that have a lot of square footage available.
Wall-mounted apron racks that provide condensed storage. Wall-mounting a storage rack is a good option for smaller storage areas since you can keep them tucked up on the side or in the corner of a room.
Should Lead Aprons Be Folded When Not in Use for Proper Storage?
Folding lead aprons is never a good idea. The previously mentioned study from Radiography Open states that folding lead aprons, dropping them, or bumping them with pointed objects can lead to sharp bends in the attenuation material. It’s a common cause of damage, such as cracks, tears, and holes.
Another study from the Journal of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology analyzed 85 lead aprons in a medical facility. Researchers found that 14 (16.5%) of the aprons had folds in the internal lead layers, and 58 (68.2%) were already defective. The resulting damage is why you must avoid folding and poor storage conditions at all costs. Improper storage can lead to increased radiation exposure due to damaged aprons.
Instead of folding, you can roll aprons up like a beach towel or lay them flat during transport. However, hanging is still the ideal choice for long-term storage.
Additionally, regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure your facility’s aprons remain in top condition.
Why Are Lead Aprons No Longer Recommended in Dentistry Practices Due to Scatter Radiation?
Lead aprons are still vital protective equipment in medical settings. They help shield clinicians and patients during high-dose procedures such as X-rays and interventional surgery using C-arms and fluoroscopy, where there is a risk of elevated staff radiation doses. The Journal of Clinical Orthopedic Trauma states that they can attenuate up to 99% of harmful scatter radiation during these procedures.
When you hear that lead aprons are no longer needed, it’s likely in dental practices. The American Dental Association (ADA) released an update to their safety standards in February 2024, stating that lead aprons are no longer necessary for dental X-rays using modern machines that are calibrated appropriately.
However, medical operations are different. Procedures using C-arms and fluoroscopy emit much higher doses of scatter radiation, which require protective garments like lead aprons for individuals who perform x-ray examinations. The use of lead aprons becomes crucial as the distance to the x-ray field decreases, especially during fluoroscopically-guided procedures.
Partner with RCS to Keep Your Lead Aprons Inspected and Maintained
Maintaining radiation protection aprons for long-term use is crucial. Hanging lead aprons to prevent damage is a great first step to lengthen their lifespan. However, it’s also essential to regularly inspect, clean, and maintain them for long-term use.
Our services at Radiological Care Services (RCS) can help. We provide:
RCS makes everything easy to manage with our RADCOMPLY™ software, which tracks your inventory and keeps you up-to-date on inspection and cleaning schedules. We’ll simplify the process so you can focus on what you do best – providing excellent and safe patient experiences.
Start improving your lead apron maintenance process today. Contact RCS to learn more about getting started.
