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