iRad Consulting | The Experts in State X-Ray Regulation Rules and Compliance | phone: 940-453-2876

 

Industrial Compliance

17 May

Posted at 09:00h in Dental Compliance, Industrial Compliance, Medical Compliance, Veterinary Compliance, X-Ray by
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Moving a piece of radiation equipment in your office may seem like a rather small undertaking. However, there is a lot more that goes into moving this type of machinery, and a number of considerations to take before you relocate any piece of radiation equipment. The best way to safely transfer x-ray equipment is to hire an x-ray service company to handle the process for you. Failing to have a professional take the helm on this type of project can result in expensive damage to your unit.

If you are considering moving your radiation equipment, no matter how far, or short, of a distance, there are a few considerations to take about the proper transfer that you should be aware of.

  • If you move your equipment, you will need an x-ray service company. While the owners of x-ray equipment can transfer and install their x-ray units on their own, they are risking damaging their equipment. Even if the machinery is moved by the owners, they are obligated to have a service company come and perform an EPE within 30 days.
  • There is paperwork involved. Whenever you transfer or replace a machine, you need to fill out the proper paperwork. For example, in Texas, the state requires a Radiation Machine Transfer/Disposal Form from the State of Health Services. This is a detailed form that must be properly filed and stored upon completion.
  • There are regulations in place regarding the disposal of old x-ray equipment. If you are replacing an existing x-ray machine with a new piece of equipment, the state has strict guidelines you must follow when it comes to disposal. There are environmental concerns associated with radiation equipment disposal, so it is essential that you read up on your state’s guidelines and follow them closely.

If you have moved or are planning on moving a piece of radiation equipment, it is important that you not only follow the state guidelines on equipment transfer but that you follow up with an annual review of your x-ray equipment. This is the best way to make sure that your radiation machinery is working as it should be and has not been damaged in any way during the transfer. These reviews are an important part of your annual x-ray machinery maintenance and doing them in accordance with your transfer is a great way to make sure everything is working properly.

If you are interested in scheduling your annual review, or if you would like a professional to come out and coordinate your machine transfer, contact the experts at iRad today.

30 Apr

Posted at 09:00h in Dental Compliance, Industrial Compliance, Laser, Medical Compliance, News by
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Are you following your state’s mandated regulations for your laser equipment and safety protocols?

It is important that you are using your office’s laser equipment in compliance with your state’s health and safety office to avoid any interruptions in patient care. For example, if you are practicing in the state of Texas and own a Class 3b or Class 4 laser, then you must register that laser with the Texas Department of State Health Services and it must be inspected by a radiation inspector.

All states, have specific requirements in place that govern the use of these lasers. This may include:

 

  • Documentation: The state requires proper ownership documents and has other documentation protocols that will need to be signed and filed regularly.
  • Proper Signage: “Caution Laser” signs are required to be posted inside and outside of laser treatment rooms.
  • Laser Training: Proof of full staff training on the use of lasers is required and this includes hands-on training for any staff that will be in the room during laser treatment.
  • Safety Equipment: Laser-specific goggles must be worn at all times during laser use and must be inspected regularly for safety.
  • Safe Treatment Area(s): Proof of proper treatment areas will need to be provided. This means that the treatment areas are away from big open windows, mirrors and shiny objects.
  • Required Personnel Only: Adhering to the rule that only required personnel and the patient may be present in laser treatment rooms.
  • Laser Lock: Lasers must have a full locking feature that must be applied when the laser is not in use.

 

Basic Laser Safety Tips

As stated above, everyone in the office needs to have laser safety training. It is a requirement by the state. Here are just a few laser safety basics:

-Safe Treatment Rooms

Make sure all your staff members have an understanding that lasers are quite powerful and can reflect off windows, mirrors or shiny objects and can give off a glare or cause the beam to bounce off and can impact someone else in the room.

-Eyewear

Ensure that your staff understands eyewear protects their eyes from possible small scattering beams that pose a hazard to the eyes.

-Hands-On Laser Training

Take careful consideration that any staff that is required to be in a treatment room where a laser is being used requires hands-on training. Not only is this a state requirement, but it also helps keep yourself and patients safe during treatment.

-Annual Laser Review

Annual reviews can help make sure that your office is compliant with state requirements. Our annual reviews also ensure that your equipment is up and running properly to avoid any unnecessary potential risks and that you have created the right environment and proper training protocols for administering these treatments.

If you have questions about laser safety, contact the experts at iRad today for more information. We’ll be happy to schedule your hands-on, in-person laser review to make sure you are fully compliant with your state’s health board.

05 Mar

Posted at 08:55h in Compliance, Dental Compliance, Industrial Compliance, Medical Compliance, News, Veterinary Compliance, Violation Remediation by
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Our team at iRad Consulting tracks all the latest news and industry trends related to the myriad of state-mandated X-Ray and laser compliance rules and regulations. And why, you may ask? So our clients don’t have to.

Whether it’s keeping tabs on changes in regulations, correcting existing violations for facilities that already have formal compliance issues, or providing guidance by taking the time to organize all radiation records on-site, our team has our clients covered from A to Z.

Below is a list of reminders, new iRad services to consider, and important compliance items to keep you informed. Over the next several blogs, we will dive into several of these in more detail.

  • iRad is excited to announce we now offer X-Ray Equipment Performance Evaluations for our dental and veterinary clients. These EPEs are required by the state, so call us today to schedule yours.
  • We now have a solution for professionals who are tired of dealing with traditional TLD Dosimeters. Bluetooth Instadose Dosimeters are a low-maintenance option that allows your staff to download necessary reports to an easy-to-use portal rather than take the time to ship off your standard TLDs and deal with manual reports as they come in. It is also helpful when you have staff changes. NOTE: This is required for our medical and veterinary clients.
  • A friendly reminder to check that all current staff has been monitored with dosimeters.
  • Remember that taking an X-Ray of anyone other than patients is considered a Level One violation. For example, at a dental facility, there should not be any images on your system of human fingers or staff (if they have not come in as a patient). This is the highest violation level, and you will be subject to fines.
  • Please contact us if you receive a Remote Inspection from the state. We can help with these. If your Remote Inspection paperwork is not sent back to the state by the deadline listed, they will send a second notice. If they do not receive it by the date on the second notice, they will send an inspector to your facility for a surprise inspection.
  • If you have any new X-Ray equipment changes, your binder will need to be updated with all the required documentation and your X-Ray certificate of registration will need to be amended.
  • Friendly reminder: If you chose not to have us visit your facility for an annual review, we would not be able to keep your facility up to date and ready for a state inspection.

Texas Clients Only

  • QA/QC protocols now need to be performed every 3 months. If you are an existing client, we will be amending this protocol at your next annual audit review.
  • QA/QC now needs to be set up for both intraoral units and pano units, regardless if they process through the same digital software system. Call us today to determine if your protocol needs to implement testing your pano units.
  • DSHS is proposing new changes to the dental rules. You may have received an email allowing you to voice your opinion on the proposed changes. We will send out a blog when the new dental rules are finalized.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions about our list of available services, please visit www.iradconsult.com, call us at 940-453-2876, or email us at [email protected]. Below are a few upcoming speaker events iRad has scheduled if anyone is interested in attending.

Schedule of Upcoming Events

MWI Event for Veterinarians – March 8 in Houston

Southwest Dental Conference – September 6 and 7 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Center in Dallas

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