Transcript Document
RADIATION
PROTECTION
Margaret Evans
Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Department
The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
Types of Radiation
Ionising Radiation
Medical Diagnosis
Treatment
X-Ray
Nuclear Imaging – Unsealed Sources of Radioisotopes
Nuclear Medicine – Unsealed Sources of Radioisotopes
Linear accelerators
Sealed Sources of Radioisotopes
Unsealed Sources of Radioisotopes
Lasers
Ultrasound
Ultraviolet / Infrared
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Radiowaves and Microwaves
Radiation Areas in the Trust
Radiology Department
Deanesly Centre
Radiotherapy
Deanesly Ward
Nuclear Medicine
(Medical Physics Department)
Wards
Main department
Accident and Emergency
CT Scanner
Nuclear Imaging
Ultrasound
Mobile X-Ray
Nuclear Medicine / Imaging Patients
Theatres
Mobile X-Ray
Lasers
Rheumatology
Bone Densitometry
(X-ray)
Chest Radiology
X-ray
Dermatology
Ultraviolet
Laser
Ionising Radiation
Medical Device
X-ray
Linear Accelerator
Can
be
switched off
No
contamination
Does not make
you radioactive
Radioactive Materials
Unsealed
Sealed
Contamination
No
Exposure
contamination
Does not make
you radioactive
Exposure
SOURCES OF IONISING RADIATION
Dangers of Ionising Radiation
None of our senses can detect the radiation
Effect on health
High
Death:
High dose and doserate to large amount of body
Erythema:
High dose and doserate to skin
Sterility:
High dose and doserate to reproductive organs
Organ Damage: High dose at any rate
Any
Dose
Dose
Cancer:
Hereditary
Defects:
Any dose, risk depends on dose, late effect
Any dose, risk depends on dose, late effect
RADIATION SIGNS
What to look out for!
Laser
Areas
Controlled Areas
Radiation Areas
are designated as controlled to
ensure that exposures are adequately restricted.
Areas where there is a possibility of significant
contamination are also controlled.
Access restricted.
Warning signs must be used.
Barriers normally in place but sometimes visual
control only.
Supervised Areas
Areas
where the likely exposure is much lower may
be designated as supervised.
Where to get advice
Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA)
Medical Physics Experts (MPE)
Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS)
In this Trust RPA and MPEs can be contacted in the Medical
Physics & Clinical Engineering Department
To be found in each department where radiation is used
Nominated Doctor
A Consultant Radiotherapist in the Deanesly Centre
Radiologists
Radiotherapists
Radiation Safety Committee
This Committee considers all matters of safety
pertaining to ionising radiation within the Trust.
EMPLOYER
HEAD OF
DEPARTMENT
RADIATION PROTECTION
ADVISOR
RADIATION PROTECTION
SUPERVISOR
PATIENTS
EMPLOYEES
RADIATION SAFETY
COMMITTEEE
Principles of Radiation Protection
FOR STAFF
Distance
Time
Shielding
Application
of individual dose limits
FOR PATIENTS
Justification
(and Authorisation)
Optimisation
Local Rules
Required for Controlled areas
Recommended for Supervised areas
THEY SPECIFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGULATIONS
IN YOUR PARTICULAR AREA
YOU
HAVE TO READ THEM
HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THEM
HAVE TO SIGN THAT YOU HAVE READ & UNDERSTOOD
THEM
MUST COMPLY WITH THEM