radiation safety policy
Under no circumstances shall individuals holding or supporting a person place part of their body directly in the primary beam. The annual total for the whole body is 5,000 mrem. Excess food or drinks may be flushed down the toilet. Steven M. CarrInterim Vice President of Research, Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo MI 49008-5200 USA(269) 387-1000Contact WMU, WMU Notice of Non-DiscriminationLand Acknowledgement Statement. In order to read PDF files you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Consult with the Radiation Safety Officer at (650) 723-3201 for specific . Measurements of the concentration of radon in air can be conducted using several different methods. The source ofradiationcan be a piece of equipment that produces theradiation, like an x-ray machine, or it can be from radioactive materials in a container. The exposure rate from a radiation source drops off by the inverse of the distance squared. If these items are not disposable, they shall be thoroughly washed with soap and running water. Maximum annual permissible occupational dose limits are shown below. Use universal precautions when handling collected urine or urine soiled linens. 124/105). 2. Reviews and investigations are conducted for doses that exceed the Level 1 and Level II criteria (see below table). Gamma rays and X-rays can travel kilometers in air and can penetrate deep into the human body or pass through it entirely. Dosimeters measure ionizing radiation only, therefore, dosimeters are not responsive to radiation emitted from ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging equipment. More information about respirators is provided below. When half of the original atoms have decayed, the material is said to have gone through a half-life. During the next half-life, half of the remaining atoms will continue to decay; leaving one-fourth of the original and so on. Mobile shields are recommended for the operator and for ancillary personnel who must be in the room but who are not performing patient-side-work. Individuals employed by SHC, SCH, and VAPAHCS fall into three general categories with respect to their exposure to radiation: Workers whose major responsibilities involve working with sources of ionizing radiation or radioactive material. However, the patient should be encouraged to bathe/shower daily. Because health physics supports the uses of ionizing radiation it is helpful to discuss the reasons why this type of radiation is important. As always, if you have any questions, please contact the radiation safety office at (512) 471-3511 or radstaff@austin.utexas.edu. Meeting with the RSO, the Authorized User (AU), and the individual; may also include the Executive Manager. Examples could include: All personnel who may come in contact with or enter an area that contains radioactive material or sources of ionizing radiation. A badge is required for anyone expected to receive more than 10% of a dose limit. The following information is provided as guidance: Health Physics annually performs x-ray machine compliance tests on medical diagnostic machines to assure compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Bioassays may also be ordered by the RSO after a spill, an unusual event, or a procedure that might result in an uptake. These radionuclides on a contaminated patient will cause minimal to zero harm or cancer risk to medical responders. Radiation is energy that travels in the form of waves or particles and is part of our everyday environment. Upon receipt, all radioactive material packages will be entered into the Nuclear Medicine drug receipt database. 5.2.4.4. The SI system uses the unit ofbecquerel (Bq)as its unit of radioactivity. If you have questions specific to your project, please contact Health Physics at (650) 723-3201. Board certification with the American Board of Nuclear Medicine, American Board of Radiology, American Board of Osteopathic Radiology, British Fellow of the Faculty of Radiology or Fellow of the Royal College of Radiology, or Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons are considered acceptable certification organizations. The nuclide used in liver cancer therapy for radioembolization is 90Y and has a half-life of 64 hours. In general, alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation can be stopped by: As ionizing radiation passes through matter, the intensity of the radiation is diminished. Human subject protocols are then approved by the Stanford ClinicalRadiation Safety Committee(CRSCo). Participate in the Quality Control Program and support the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). When it comes to ionizing radiation, remember time, distance, and shielding: Time, Distance, and Shielding for Radiation Protection. Such warning systems will set off an audible (easy to hear) alarm (e.g., to warn workers that a radiation hazard exists) or a visible (lighted) warning signal whenever ionizing radiation is being emitted. incorrect body part scanned), Health Physics should be contacted to assess dose, and if dose exceeds 5 rem effective dose or 50 rem organ or shallow dose, report to the State of California. For example, per California Title 17(30307 Fluoroscopic Installations)Protective aprons of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent shall be worn in the fluoroscopy room by each person, except the patient, whose body is likely to be exposed to 5 mR/hr or more.. (More information on personnel monitoring can be found in chapter4.0 Personnel Monitoring.). Health Physics makes this determination based on personnel exposure monitoring reports, surveys, and the likelihood of an incident in your work setting. Are dosimeters needed if an employee is exposed to ultrasound or MRI radiation? Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Certificate, Mammographic Radiologic Technology Certificate, Radiologic Technologist Fluoroscopy Permit (Additionally, this individual must be supervised by a licentiate who possesses a valid Fluoroscopy Supervisor and Operator Permit. Patients administered positron emitters such as the typical PET/CT radiopharmaceutical 18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose used in PET) are a source of exposure to nurses and other personnel. The physical and biological half-lives work together to remove radioisotopes from the human body. If contaminated, they will be collected by the hazardous waste technician. The guiding principle of radiation safety is "ALARA". YSM Home. If there are any questions regarding the wearing of these badges or any questions regarding radiation monitoring, please contact the Stanford University Health Physics Department Dosimetry Coordinator at (650) 723-3203. 4.1.2.3 Take actions necessary to ensure all radiation safety practices comply with the rules and regulations governing the use of radioactive material or radiation producing machines. The Radiation Safety Programs ensure the safe use of the radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment used in research. The testing procedures are based on American College of Radiology (ACR) CT Quality Control Manual. Mammography machine annual tests are performed by an outside contractor. To ensure errors are properly reviewed, contact health physics promptly when it is discovered that: Additionally, a Stanford Alert for Event (SAFE) should be completed documenting the event. This amount of radiation involves minimal risk and is necessary to obtain the research information desired. Contact the Dosimetry Coordinator at (650) 723-3203 or your health physicist to confirm if new employees needs a dosimeter. Remove gloves and place in designated waste container before leaving the room. Your radiation exposure will be about _____ mSv. If lead aprons are used, wear the whole body badge outside of the apron at the collar and clip the fetal badge under the apron. Promote sound radiological health practices. Non-Radiation Workers examples include: Note: Radiation workers are those handling radioactive material. Other facilities, such as gamma irradiation facilities, also use warning systems. The total average dose from natural internal sources of radiation is approximately 40 mrem per year. The RDRC must immediately, but no later than 7 calendar days, submit a special summary (using Form FDA 2915) to the FDA at the time a proposal is approved that involves: The FDA will conduct periodic reviews of the approved committee by reviewing the annual reports, reviewing the minutes, and by examining the full protocols for pertinent studies that have been approved by the committee. Note: SeeRHB for all forms for certification and permittingin Radiologic Technology (Medical X-ray) and Nuclear Medicine Technology. The amount of external radiationexposurereceived is related to the distance from the source, the energy of the emitted radiation, the total amount ofradioactive materialpresent or the machine setting, and the time ofexposure. Personal air sampling collects air from the breathing zone of a worker, while an area sample collects general room air. The use of universal precautions when handling human blood, human tissue and body fluids protects hospital workers from radioactive material contamination. Terminate the privilege to use radioactive material. The radiation dose from consumer products is relatively small as compared to other naturally occurring sources of radiation and averages 0.1 mSv (10 mrem) per year. If you have lost your dosimeter, alost monitor reportis required. Some PPE for worker protection from gamma and X-rays incorporates lead or other dense, high atomic number (high Z) materials. Practice and promote ALARA principles and standards. The difference between man-made sources of radiation and naturally occurring sources is the location from which the radiation originates. Establish a radiation safety program when the potential for occupational radiation exposure exists. Studies show that cargo handlers get very little radiation exposure from handling them. This research study involves exposure to radiation from __[2 PET/CT _]_. High energy x-ray machines, also called linear accelerators, which operate in the 4 MV to 25 MV energy range, are therapy machines used to treat primarily cancer. A liquid scintillation counter is piece of equipment that is not portable and is usually used in a laboratory. Know the best source of shield for the radiation to which you are exposed. If a dosimeter is lost frequently, and if it is not required due to the exposure environment, it will be cancelled. A typical radiation dose from a whole body CT is about 15 mSv (1500 mrem). Directly control radiation exposure to the patient during fluoroscopy procedures. Additionally, if you see unfamiliar individuals, it is important to question them or call security. For questions regarding radiation safety contact. The iodine concentrates in the patients thyroid. Report No. Dosimeters are considered late when they have not been returned to the dosimetry locations contact within 5 days after the end of the wear period (e.g., if issued a monthly dosimeter on the 1st of October, return the worn dosimeter to the contact by the 5th of November). Human-made radiation sources are widely used in medicine, industry, and research. The patient is to be encouraged to take responsibility for his/her own urine collection, if possible. In terms of disintegrations per unit time, 1 Ci = 2,220,000 dpm. You could also call radiation "electromagnetic waves". Do not store Extremity (finger) rings in lab coat pockets. For example, these non-radiological safety and health hazards may include electrical hazards from associated electrical equipment and extension cords, shift work and long work hours, worker ingress (entry) into and egress (exit) from shielded enclosures (e.g., at fixed industrial radiography facilities), and laser hazards if lasers are incorporated into radiation-emitting equipment (e.g., lasers are sometimes used to align an external beam with the target). The shielded surgical gloves are highly x-ray attenuating. Health Physics reviews the application for completeness and accuracy. Additionally, if the drug is not FDA approved and is under an IND, it may be approved by the RSO or designee. Training Program consists of three different courses; Basic Radiation Safety, Authorized User, and Refresher training. 3.2 NUREG: The abbreviation for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commissions regulations. OSHAs Ionizing Radiation standard requires employers to conduct dose monitoring when a worker who enters a restricted area receives or is likely to receive a dose in any calendar quarter in excess of 25% of the applicable occupational limit (or 5% for workers under age 18) and for each worker who enters a high radiation area (1910.1096(d)(2) and 1910.1096(d)(3), 29 CFR 1926.53). Contact Health Physics immediately if any radioactive material package appears damaged (650-723-3201). All patients should be medically stabilized from their traumatic injuries before radiation injuries are considered. Each type of instrument has unique characteristics, and a radiation professional should be consulted to select a handheld survey instrument best suited to the application. Badges are to be worn at the collar. They provide clarifying information as it pertains to the Code of Federal Regulations. Protect badges from impact, puncture, or compression. When transporting the patient, do not share elevators with other staff or patients. The standard radiation symbol appears with the required trefoil symbol as shown below. An error in administering a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical drug or therapeutic drug may be a Nuclear Regulatory C reportable event called a medical event. The complete language for a medical event can be found under the NRC regulation 10 CFR 35.3045. For someone residing in the US, the annual background exposure is approximately 6.3 mSv (633 mrem), but some locations can be much higher. These calculated risks are compared to other known occupational and environmental hazards, and appropriate safety standards and policies have been established by international and national radiation protection organizations (e.g., International Commission on Radiological Protection and National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements) to control and limit the potential harmful radiation effects of radiation. 7.5. Make prompt decisions without having to consult with higher management, particularly in case of an emergency concerning radiation. SHC, SCH and VAPAHCS are responsible for lead apron inspection and inventory. The most commonly used radioactive materials in nuclear medicine studies is technetium-99m (99mTc), a gamma emitter with a half-life of 6 hours or fluorine 18 (18F), a gamma emitter with a half-life of 2 hours. Store badges in a safe location when not in use, away from sun, heat, sources of radiation or potential damage. . Bioassay sampling is sometime used in occupational settings to determine the uptake of radioactive material for radiological workers. Physicians named as Authorized Users to a Controlled Radiation Authorization (CRA) approved for human treatment and/or diagnosis with radioactive materials should be board certified in their area of specialty practice and must be approved as an Authorized User by the Clinical Radiation Safety Committee prior to radiopharmaceuticals administrations or medical use of byproduct material. Supervise one or more persons who hold a Radiologic Technologist Fluoroscopy Permit. The State of California provides the following certificates and permits. A qualified expert should provide oversight for selecting appropriate area survey instruments, using survey instruments properly when conducting area surveys or monitoring, interpreting survey results, and ensuring accurate calibration and maintenance. Emergency response: Determine the presence of, evaluate, and assess any radiological hazard resulting from the use of ionizing radiation or radioactive for compliance with . Anyone acquiring or constructing equipment operating at or above 30 kVp, or employing cathode-ray tubes, rectifier tubes, klystrons or magnetrons must contact Health Physics so that the machine may be checked under operating conditions to insure that no significant exposures will occur to operating personnel. Rooms or areas that contain permanently installed x-ray machines as the only source of radiation shall be posted with a sign or signs that bear the words, CAUTION X-RAY.. 147: Structural Shielding Design for Medical X-ray Imaging Facilities, Report No. When is a fluoroscopy certificate NOT required by the State of California? A lead apron is inadequate for shielding 18F or 131I but is appropriate for an 80 kVp x-ray beam (about 95 percent of the x-rays will be shielded). The supervisor must be able to immediately apply proper instruction and corrective actions. __ . Examples of administrative controls include signage, warning systems, and written operating procedures to prevent, reduce, or eliminate radiation exposure. 1. Provisions need to be made to potentially deal with thousands of such persons. The permitted licentiate shall document the following: Significance of radiation dose, to include hazards of excessive exposure to radiation, biological effects of radiation dose, and radiation protection standards; Expected levels of radiation from fluoroscopy equipment; Methods of controlling radiation dose: time, distance, shielding; and. glove boxes) or respiratory protection may be required to prevent an internal exposure and dose. Frequently late dosimeters gives the impression of a lackadaisical monitoring program and may be cancelled if it is not required due to the exposure environment. An ALARA program usually involves maintaining radiation doses to workers as far below the federal and state regulatory occupational dose limits as is reasonably achievable taking into consideration the state of technology, economics, and social factors. Attending Radiologists Resources and SOPs. They may also institute on-site inspections. Consult with the Radiation Safety Officer at (650) 723-3201 for specific information. Duties of those responsible for the Radiation Safety Program. Sample echocardiography policy for radiation safety. The physician must also be authorized to practice medicine in the state of California. In particular, time at patients bedside should be kept to a minimum. For males, the testes are easily shielded by special shields that are in contact with the body. Because nuclear medicine patients might undergo additional examinations, other hospital staff might also be exposed. Personal and area air sampling are conducted by using a pump to pull a known volume of air through sampling collection media, such as a filter cassette. These devices are often used to monitor for illicit radioactive materials. Download a customizable medical imaging fact card for your patients. Examples of areas where monitoring is typically not required are dental x-ray or chest x-ray units. Additionally, a thyroid collar and leaded eye wear (or radiation glasses) are recommended. If a package is labeled as containing radioactive material appears damaged it must be promptly monitored for dose rate and contamination. They are to be given to the contact within the first 5 days of the new monitoring period. Applications may include Yttrium 90 (90Y) for cases where it is not possible to surgically remove hepatic tumors. Radiation safety policies. Some state agencies may regulate the operation of electronically-produced radiation equipment through recommendations and requirements for personnel qualifications (e.g., licensing or certification), quality assurance and quality control programs, and facility accreditation. Because of increased health risks to the rapidly developing embryo and fetus, pregnant women are limited to no more than 500 mrem (5 mSv) during the entire gestation period and no more than 50 mrem (0.5 mSv) near the abdomen each month. See 29 CFR 1910.134 for requirements for using respiratory protection. X-rays are a type of energy similar to light but like gamma rays pass easily through fairly thick materials. Counting is often used in occupational settings to conduct measurements of radiological workers at the beginning of employment, periodically during employment, after known or suspected intakes, and at the termination of employment in order to determine occupational radiation doses. Do not wear dosimeters for non-work exposures such as while at the dentists office or when traveling by air. EPA standards set protective limits on the radioactivity in soil, water and air that comes from human activities. The machines must feature: In the event the patient experiences breathing difficulties or other medical problems, the patient will be immediately disconnected from the machine. Purpose. the Radiation Safety and Protection Program content, implementation and audits must be maintained for inspection by the Department. The Radiation Safety Officer is responsible for managing the radiation safety program subject to the approval of the Administrative Panel on Radiological Safety, and is authorized to take whatever steps are necessary to control and mitigate hazards in emergency situations. These devices can provide a continuous readout of the wearers radiation dose, dose rate, and can be set to alarm at user defined dose thresholds and dose rates. Physicians who are in specialty training (i.e., residents and fellows) may work on Controlled Radiation Authorization (CRA) for human treatment and diagnosis provided that they are under the general supervision of a physician who is board certified in the specialty area that the resident physician is being trained in. 7.7. Internal contamination occurs when people swallow or breathe in radioactive materials, or when radioactive materials enter the body through an open wound or are absorbed through the skin. Occasionally, patients who have received therapeutic levels of radioactivity must be transported within the Stanford Medical Center. See the Standards page for information about OSHAs Ionizing Radiation Standard. Radiation Dose Reference Chart: Download a reference chart listing common imaging examination doses, updated to reflect the data presented in NCRP Report No. The worker should be informed of the potential risks, local policies, and recommended dose limits; 4.1.4.3. Universal precautions protect general staff from radioactive contamination. Shoe covers should be worn when in the patients room. When used correctly, x-ray attenuating surgical gloves can help to reduce the risk of radiation dermatitis in a physicians hands from exposure to scattered radiation. ALARA stands for "as low as reasonably achievable". X-rays are a type of radiation commonly found in the hospital. See 29 CFR 361.1. Clinical use of medical devices:If approved by the Clinical Radiation Safety Committee, an Authorized Medical Physicist (AMP) is a medical physicist who will only use radioactive material (e.g., sources for ophthalmic treatment, HDR) or therapeutic device(s) for medical use (e.g., linear accelerator). Personal Radiation Detectors (PRD) are small electronic devices designed to alert the wearer to the presence of radiation. Theshallow-dose equivalentis the external dose to the skin of the whole-body or extremities from an external source of ionizing radiation at a tissue depth of 0.007 cm averaged over and area of 10 cm2. These types of dosimeters are typically worn for a specified period, most commonly monthly or quarterly, and are then sent to a commercial laboratory for processing. Because radiation exposure drops off very quickly, other personnel in the room do not need to wear lead aprons but should also maintain as much distance from an operating unit as feasible. Exemption issued by California for positioning a patient or fluoroscopy Equipment. Dose rates of greater than 5 mrem/hr can be measured within 6 feet of the table, including where the fluoroscopist stands. Related News and Articles. 4.1.4.6. The net exposure is the value found on the exposure reports. Direct and/or conduct the phases of corrective actions to prevent recurrence of incidents involving radiation or radioactive material. 4.1. This additional amount of radiation involves minimal risk and is necessary to obtain the research information desired. The average dose from residual fallout is about 0.02 mSv (2 mrem) in a year. Receipt and return of all radioactive packages is documented by entering the required data in to the Pinestar Database or other Nuclear Medicine Database. A lead (or lead equivalent) apron is a protective garment which is designed to shield the body from harmful radiation, usually in the context of medical imaging. To view a document, click on the title and it will automatically create a new window with the PDF. Another best practice is designating a radiation safety committee, which includes the RSO, a management representative, and workers who work with radiation-producing equipment, radiation sources, or radioactive materials (or who are otherwise at risk of exposure on the job). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used to prevent workers from becoming contaminated with radioactive material. 4.1.4.2. These are typically triangular pieces of lead that are suspended by flexible arms (like those for desk lamps) from the x-ray tube housing. A whole body counter is a detector, or series of detectors, used to measure the amount of radioactivity in the human body. Individuals who handle large amounts of easily ingested radionuclides may be required to participate in a bioassay monitoring program. 2.4. Housekeeping staff may not enter the room unless escorted by a nurse.