Radiation Safety Orientation for Residents

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Radiation Safety Orientation for Residents

• Ninni Jacob, CHP.
• Radiation Safety Officer

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What is Radiation?
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Ionizing Radiation

• Ionizing vs Non-ionizing Radiation
• Natural vs Artificial Radiation
• Radiation Safety
• Medical Physics

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Background Radiation
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Why is Radiation used at Rhode Island Hospital?

• Radiation is used for diagnosis, therapy, and
  research.
• Large quantities are used for patient therapy.
• Smaller quantities are used for diagnostic
  procedures and medical research
• Special training and monitoring are required in
  areas where personnel use radiation.

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Classification of Radiation

• Machine produced when the machine is turned
  off, radiation is no longer produced.
• Radioactive Materials materials that
  continuously produce radiation - no off switch.

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Radiation Labeling
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Types of Radiation use at RIH

• Diagnostic And Therapeutic Radiation Generating
  Equipment (RGE)
• Radioactive Materials (RAM) - Nuclear Medicine
• Therapeutic RAM Nuclear Medicine And Radiation
  Oncology
• Research And Analytical Laboratories

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Authorization for RAM

• Radioactive Material can be used only under an
  Authorized User
• An application must be completed and approved by
  the Radiation Safety Committee

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Occupation Radiation Exposure Limits

• Whole body 5,000 mrem/year
• Extremities 50,000 mrem/year
• Eye 15,000 mrem/year
• Fetus 500 mrem/gestation period (declared
  pregnancy)

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Dosimetry

• All personnel likely to receive greater than 500
  millirem/yr occupational radiation dose are
  required by Rhode Island regulations to be
  monitored for radiation exposure.
• The dosimetry badge program is managed by the
  Medical Physics Office.
• .

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Dosimetry

• For research or Xray only a whole body is worn at
  the trunk level. A ring badge must be used if
  extremities are exposed
• When lead aprons are used
• For light fluoro users, ONE badge is worn at the
  collar
• For heavy fluoro users, a badge is worn at the
  collar outside the thyroid shield, and one at the
  waist INSIDE the lead apron

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Training for Radiation Safety

• Those who use the following equipment or
  material need training
• X-ray, CT, Fluoroscopes
• Radioactive material in
• Nuclear Medicine
• Research Labs using radioactive material

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Who needs credentialing?

• Physicians other than Radiologists doing fluoro
  in any area, i.e.
• Cardiac Cath Lab
• Electrophysiology Lab
• Endoscopy
• Operating Rooms

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Credentialing Process

• Required for all physicians except for
  Radiologists
• Training required because of possible burns that
  dont appear for 2-4 weeks
• Request privileges through Medical Staff Office
• Training provided by Medical Physics Department,
  or on-line
• Pass Fluoro Exam

16
MRI Safety

• MRI machines generate a very strong magnetic
  field within and surrounding the machine.This
  field is always ONeven when nobody is in the
  room.
• Metallic fragments or implants in the body can be
  dislodged.
• Field interferes with the operation of implanted
  devices such as pacemakers or medical pumps.

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MRI Safety
The field can cause loose magnetically
susceptible materials even at a distance to be
accelerated into the bore of the magnet with a
force to cause injury to anyone in or around the
MRI unit. Only qualified pre-screened individuals
are permitted to enter this room. Room
Labeling MRI rooms are recognized by signs
saying "CAUTIONSTRONG MAGNETIC FIELD"
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Laser Safety

• Lasers are used mainly in the OR, Dermatology and
  Ophthalmology
• Lasers can cause eye injuries and skin injuries
• Only trained physicians and nurses can use lasers

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Laser Safety
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Laser Safety
Laser credentialing is required for physicians
through the Medical Staff Office There is a
laser-trained nurse who is responsible for laser
safety in the OR. Eye Protection and Skin
Protection required for staff and patients
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Contact Information

• Radiation Safety Officer
• Medical Physics Office
• Main 3rd Floor- Room 317
• Phone [phone]