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tips Tag

08 May

Posted at 09:00h in Dental Compliance, Medical Compliance, Veterinary Compliance, X-Ray by
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If x-ray equipment is used often in your place of business, it is possible that some safety precautions are being overlooked, especially if technicians are not being properly trained with a clear understanding of radiation and a respect for the safety precaution protocols.

Since radiation is an invisible and odorless energy it may not be intuitive to your technicians on how to protect themselves and clients from radiation scatter. It is important that safety garments and protocols are taught as absolute required precautions. (Also, it is essential for keeping up your state’s mandated x-ray regulations.)

Make it clear to your technicians that these fundamentals should be taken seriously. It is vital that your technicians understand that proper radiation safety can virtually eliminate the risks associated with radiation exposure. Since, there is no such thing as being too safe around radiation, make sure that your technicians review the following fundamentals of safety regularly.

  • Time

The more time you spend near radiation, the higher the health risks are. Minimizing the time exposed to radiation is essential, which means rotating personnel (if possible), to minimize their amount of exposure. This is especially important for veterinary technicians who are often holding animals to acquire their x-rays. You and your team should also be using technique charts to decrease the need for re-taking x-rays.

Remember with radiation from strong sources, the dose you absorb is proportional to the duration of the exposure, so the less time you spend near a radiation source, the less likely your dose will be.

  • Shielding

Shielding is one of the most important protective measures you can take when working around radiation. It is essential to always be wearing protective gloves, aprons and thyroid shields and to check your protective equipment regularly to make sure it is in top working order. Never allow any part of your body to come in contact with the primary beam while working near x-rays.

  • Distance

Make sure you are maximizing the distance between the technician and the x-ray beam. Radiation can scatter up to six feet away, meaning even if you aren’t right next to your x-ray equipment, you can still be exposed. Nonessential workers should never be in the radiology room during exposure.

  • Wear A Dosimetry Badge

Not only make it a requirement for your technicians to wear a dosimetry badge, ensure they understand the proper protocols concerning dosimetry badges. This includes, making sure they are always wearing their assigned dosimetry badge whenever working near the x-ray equipment and ensuring there is an assigned place at work (that is not near the radiation source) for them to store their badge when they are not at work. Dosimeters should be worn at the collar level outside of the apron. For pregnant staff, ensure they have a fetal dosimeter assigned to them.

Did you know that the experts at iRad offer safety training as part of their x-ray review? Get in touch with iRad to schedule your review today 469-573-2323! If you have other questions about radiation safety, or need to order radiation safety equipment, we can help with that too.

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.