Apron Hangers

Lead Apron Hangers FAQ

• What are the best types of lead apron hangers for hospitals?

  The improper storage of lead aprons (folding them, for example) often leads to defects likely to shorten their effective lifespan. This is largely preventable with the use of lead apron hangers, which are specially designed to support the weight of radiation protection garments, which can individually weigh between 10 and 20 lbs. 

   

  In order to prevent the type of damage that can come from creasing or folding, the best lead apron hangers feature reinforced steel construction and wide shoulder supports for weight distribution. Many are also designed with upturned edges to help keep garments centered in place and free of any creases or folds.

   

• How should lead aprons be hung to prevent damage?

  The best method for hanging lead aprons involves using heavy-duty hangers, placed on either wall-mounted or free-standing lead apron storage racks.

   

  How to store lead aprons: best practices for extending the life of radiation protection garments

  As an aspect of inventory management, how you hang and store lead aprons has a big impact on their expected lifespan. By following some hanging and storage best practices, you can better manage inventory and reduce costs, simply by minimizing how often lead aprons have to be replaced due to damage beyond routine wear and tear.

   

  Some easy tips for hanging include:

  • Hanging lead aprons from both shoulder panels
  • Ensuring that each apron’s weight is evenly distributed
  • Smoothing each apron once it’s properly on the hanger

   

  Once lead aprons have been properly hung, the next consideration is storage. Since these garments can be heavy, it’s essential to use heavy-duty racks capable of withstanding their weight. There are three main lead apron rack types: wall-mounted, freestanding, and mobile.

  • Wall-mounted: A lead apron wall mount system provides a condensed storage option, ideal for smaller spaces.
  • Freestanding: Free-standing racks are often large and sturdy, and work well when you need a central storage option, such as in facilities with many aprons in use and plenty of available storage space.
  • Mobile: These racks are typically on wheels, providing a flexible solution for facilities with adjustable layouts and/or the frequent need to transport lead aprons from one room or area to another.
• Can improper storage cause damage to lead aprons and reduce radiation protection?

  Improper storage often leads to damage and reduced radiation protection, causing facilities to have to repair and replace garments more often than they otherwise would. This underscores the importance of proper hanging and storage (including using garment-appropriate hangers and storage racks) as well as regular inspections.

   

  The most significant risk of improper hanging and storage includes the formation of internal cracks, tears, and creases in the lead or lead-equivalent material. These can reduce an apron’s shielding effectiveness, increasing the risk of radiation exposure.

• Should lead aprons be folded or hung when not in use?

  Lead aprons should always be hung, not folded, when not in use. Lead apron hangers and storage racks are specifically designed for the challenge of storing lead aprons in a way that won’t cause damage and decrease the lifespan of these garments. Lead aprons shouldn’t be folded for transporting them, either. Instead, you can carefully roll them up as you would a beach towel.

• What type of lead apron rack is best for small radiology departments?

  Smaller radiology departments generally benefit from wall-mounted racks. These racks optimize the available space while preventing the aprons from touching the floor, which can result in damage and contamination. For the best results, hang lead aprons on heavy-duty apron hangers and then place the hangers and garments carefully onto the wall-mounted rack.

   

  When evaluating your options for lead apron storage racks, be sure to check their overall weight capacity and how many garments each rack can accommodate. This will ensure that you have plenty of space to properly hang and store lead aprons while minimizing the risk of preventable damage.

• How often should lead aprons be inspected if stored properly?

  While the storage method you choose will impact the longevity of radiation protection garments, lead aprons should undergo radiographic scans on an annual basis.

   

  This isn’t just a recommended best practice, though. The Joint Commission (TJC) requires healthcare facilities to not only perform inspections but also to document their findings annually. While TJC does not specify an exact inspection method or set of rejection criteria, you may be asked during an audit to provide garment-specific documentation when prompted, which can be difficult without adequate inventory management practices. 

   

  In addition to selling a wide range of high-quality radiation protection equipment, such as lead aprons, hangers, and storage racks, RadCare Services (RCS) is the only service that also provides garment care services like cleaning, inspection, repairs, inventory management, and disposal. 

• Do lead apron hangers need to support the full weight of wet garments?

  They should, yes. Even though garments may retain a little moisture (and weigh a little more than usual) after professional cleaning, heavy-duty hangers rated for lead garment weight should still support them without a problem. For the best result, opt for hangers that feature reinforced steel construction and wide shoulder supports for effective weight distribution.

   

  When you work with RCS, you can rest assured that your lead aprons will be properly and thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and inspected. Then they will be returned to you ready to hang and tagged in your inventory management system. Our end-to-end process involves three key phases: 

  1. Scheduled pickup (or convenient shipping): You can choose on-site pickup or use the provided shipping materials to transport your lead aprons to us. (In the meantime, you’ll receive loaner garments.)
  2. Professional cleaning, scanning, and repairs: By taking advantage of our full range of comprehensive services, you can reduce inventory management headaches, achieve regulatory compliance, and ensure safety for your workforce.
  3. Clean garments with complete records: When you receive your garments back from us, you can trust that they have been thoroughly cleaned, inspected, and inventoried. We’ll even upload all service records, X-ray images, and compliance documentation to our proprietary, cloud-based RadComply® platform.