What Are the Safety Precautions for Radiation?
Diagnostic imaging equipment is vital to provide patients with the best possible diagnosis and solutions. However, tools like C-arms and CT scans emit ionizing radiation during use that could impact the health and well-being of staff members and patients when working closely with this equipment.
Fortunately, there are radiation control measures healthcare teams can take to significantly reduce these effects. That includes wearing the right equipment, such as lead aprons, streamlining processes to work more efficiently, and maintaining a safe distance from radiation sources when possible.
These processes are commonly categorized as time, distance, and shielding. Studies have shown that implementing each one together can significantly improve key safety measures for both staff and patients. Let’s examine how this process works.
What Are the Three Basic Radiation Precautions?
The three basic precautions for medical teams to minimize radiation hazards are: time, distance, and shielding.
1. Time
The National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) states that the less time you spend exposed to the radiation source, the lower the dose you’ll receive.
To minimize exposure time, the NCRP recommends streamlining processes and implementing comprehensive training so staff members feel comfortable with the equipment.
2. Distance
Standing farther away from the radiation source also reduces the dose received. The International Commission for Radiation Protection (ICRP) recommends standing at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) away from the source. That reduces exposure to 0.025% of the direct beam’s intensity.
If you can’t quite reach that 2-meter distance, another study on radiographers showed that standing two steps behind the mobile support structure of equipment reduced exposure by 80%. Plus, a study highlighted that standing 20 cm farther from the center of the X-ray field reduced exposure by 73.3%.
While standing farther away isn’t always possible in certain settings, such as interventional surgery with a C-arm, any additional distance you can create goes a long way.
3. Shielding
Shielding provides a layer of defense when you’re working closely with equipment, such as during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided interventions.
The most common type of shielding is personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes lead aprons, thyroid shields, and lead glasses. These help weaken or block the radiation before it reaches the body. A meta-analysis from 2018 highlighted that aprons with at least 0.5 mm of lead equivalence can attenuate up to 90% of scatter radiation.
It’s also important to inspect this equipment regularly to ensure it’s clean and there isn’t any damage to it. One study showed up to 50% of PPE exhibits defects after 4 years of use.
What Are the Safety Precautions When Handling Radiation?
Here are a few guidelines to put time, distance, and shielding into practice in your facility:
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE): Studies show that lead aprons and thyroid shields are very effective at protecting sensitive organs, with some providing up to a 98-99.9% dose reduction in critical areas. Research also shows that lead glasses provide a significant barrier for the eyes, reducing doses by up to 90%.
Establish and follow facility protocols: Establishing safety protocols and a radiation protection culture in medical organizations is crucial. Research from the World Journal of Radiology states that all staff members must be aware of the risks and how they can do their part, especially in interventional settings.
Apply the ALARA principle: The CDC states that following the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle is crucial when optimizing time, distance, and shielding. It’s meant to be a proactive approach to protect both patients and staff from as many angles as possible.
At Radiological Care Services (RCS), we help healthcare facilities implement these safety measures by offering clean and compliant radiation garments. This ensures that your protective gear is ready to meet the demands of ALARA in daily practice.
What Are the Safety Protections for Radiation?
You can put several protections in place to ensure safety when working with radiological equipment.
What Materials Protect Against Radiation?
Lead is the most common material used in wearable protective equipment, such as radiological aprons and glasses. Research has also shown that a combination of tungsten and tin can attenuate radiation, although wearable equipment using these materials still isn’t very widespread in most medical centers.
Radiation Safety Equipment List
Most research shows that the standard equipment for personal radiation protection in medical settings is a lead apron, glasses, hats, thyroid mask, gonad shield, and gloves. These provide protection across the body, shielding the organs that are most susceptible to radiation exposure and damage.
Importance of Regular Equipment Inspections
As mentioned earlier, regular inspection, cleaning, and repair of PPE is essential to ensure protective gear is in top-notch shape to keep staff and patients safe. Simply wiping equipment down after use isn’t enough.
One study on lead apron cleanliness found that 84% were colonized with Tinea species (Ringworm) and Staphylococcus aureus, and another 12% were colonized with MRSA.
When you work with us at RCS, we’ll put a system in place that helps you stay on top of PPE cleanliness and inspections. That way, you know your staff is protected from both radiation exposure and infectious diseases.
Ready to Elevate Your Radiation Safety Standards?
At Radiological Care Services (RCS), we make it easy for healthcare facilities to stay compliant and safe. From cleaning and sanitizing lead aprons to managing inventory with our RADCOMPLY™ platform, we ensure your team has the tools needed for optimal radiation protection.
Learn more about how important PPE management is by getting in touch with our experts today!