Radiation protection is the responsibility of the radiation safety officer and technologists who work in the radiation safety department in most hospitals.

2. Importance of Radiation Safety in Healthcare
Thomas Edison made history when he invented the fluoroscope, but soon stopped his
research after his assistant died from x-ray overdose. Marie Curie changed the world
when she discovered radium, but soon died due to exposure. Modern-day experts have a
far better understanding of how radiation works and are much better equipped to protect
themselves from radiation poisoning with the help of radiation shielding and radiation
protection methods. However, since radiation is odourless and invisible, it is easy to get
complacent about its dangers, and that’s where we’re failing as a society. Radiation
exposure can lead to all sorts of health issues, and it is essential to understand the
importance of radiation safety.

3. Radiation in Healthcare
Radiation is commonly used in the
field of healthcare, as it aids both
patients as well as workers in several
ways. Its regular need and pressing
timelines also mean that it is often
one of the most abused practices in
the field, with many approaching
radiation protection and radiation
shielding in a wrong or incomplete
manner. The dangers posed by
radiation got a lot of attention when
the New York Times published a
number of expose on radiation
overexposure and treatment
accidents. This made the FDA and
OSHA take a closer look at the issue.

4. The Issue of Radiation Safety
One of the main caused of overexposure to radiation is that most people who work
with radiation protection and radiation shielding in healthcare only receive
rudimentary training. While interventional radiologists are fully trained to use
radiation safely, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists receive basic
training and they may be unaware of the best risk reduction and safety procedures. To
make matters worse, while radiologists have radiologic technologists as key members
of their team, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists mostly have nurses
for company.
Another issue is that people often use much more radiation than required. Unlike
Japan or the EU, the United States places a great amount of stress on high quality
images and this means more radiation.

5. Keeping a Check on Radiation
Radiation protection is the responsibility of the radiation safety officer and
technologists who work in the radiation safety department in most hospitals. The
safety officer keeps a track of the exposure faced by healthcare workers and all
those exposed to radiation must undergo exposure assessment on a monthly basis.
The state performs an inspection once or twice a year as well. Another preventive
measure is that the Joint Commission requires all hospitals to have written
procedures to help people understand the precautions to use before radiation
exposure and learn more about how to use radiation shielding materials and
radiation protection tools when dealing with hazardous materials such as x-ray
equipment and tools that emit radiation.
All said and done, it’s quite easy and normal for workers to get complacent about
radiation safety demanding the pressing and stressful nature of their jobs. Hospitals
often get very busy and often times clinicians forget to wear the badge.
Getting Complacent

6. Improving Radiation Safety Standards
Luckily for those involved, it is very easy
to make improvements in radiation safety.
The most basic, and probably the first
step to radiation protection, is to make
those who work with radiation undergo a
basic radiation protection course. It is also
essential to ensure that technologists and
nurses are encouraged to speak up and
bring their concerns forward. Proper
communication often helps solve most
problems before they become serious.
Reducing the amount of radiation dose
also works wonders as it benefits patients
as well as workers who get exposed to the
radiation scatter.

7. Radiation shielding is another important method of protecting against
radiation. Radiation shielding materials include personal shields such as lead
glasses and aprons, equipment mounted shields such as protective drapes and
architectural shielding.
When treated with the respect it deserves, radiation can be an immensely
powerful and useful tool for mankind. However, keeping a check on exposure
and making sure that radiation safety practices are followed is essential for the
betterment of everyone.

8. Mailing & Shipping Address
Ecomass Technologies
4101 Parkstone Heights Dr. Suite 380
Austin, Texas 78746-7482
USA
Technical Sales and Support
info@ecomass.com
• www.ecomass.com