Assignment

Write a paper about Radiation Safety.

Paper MUST has:

- Title page
- Half a page abstract
- 5 written pages (introduction, separate headings for main topics).
- References.

The paper MUST include separate headings for the introduction, and main topics.

You must write about points you mentioned in your introduction.

Need the source at the end of each paragraph

NOTE:

• Wikipedia, Dictionaries and Encyclopedias will NOT be accepted as reference sources.
• You MUST include a minimum of 5 reference sources

Radiation Safety

In the United states, every year, there is an estimate of 400 million radiologic procedures performed. This number continues to rapidly rise with the advancement of various treatment methods, including diagnostic imaging. Since 1980, the overall use of radiation dose has increased six times more than before.

1. Due to this increase in radiation exposure that comes from various treatment methods, it also causes an arise of concern among many patients. The patient's misconception of radiation safety often starts before they even begin their treatment.

2. As healthcare providers that work in the radiation field, what can we as professionals take in to consideration when working with radiation, as well as educating patients and ourselves? Since radiologic technology is used in a variety of procedures and settings, proper guidelines have been established to ensure and properly understand radiation safety. These guidelines address but are not limited to:

- Identifying policies and procedures that ensure radiation safety.
- Identifying principles to minimize radiation exposure as low as possible.
- Measurements taken to minimize radiation exposure to both patients and health care professionals.
- Handling protective devices. The three basic principles of radiation protection taken in to account during procedures is time, distance and shielding.

3. Time is the amount of radiation a patient receives, and is relative to the length of time the patient spends near the radiation source. For example, in brachytherapy procedures, there is a certain time a patient must wait before the radioactive material placed within the body is either expelled or eventually decay's.

The second principle is Distance. This is when the patient or personnel performing the procedure receives less exposure based on their distance in relation to the radioactive source. Distance and intensity of radiation is inversely related. If the distance is doubled, the amount of radiation exposure is reduced by a factor of four. The third principle is shielding. Shielding is taken in to consideration between the patient and radioactive source to provide protection against radiation. Most commonly lead and concrete is used. The amount of shielding used is contingent upon the type of radiation given. For example, gamma and x-rays penetrate radiation deeper than alpha and beta rays. Time, distance and shieling as mentioned before are the basic principles of radiation safety. However more strict and proper guidelines must be followed as well to ensure utmost protection. In order to establish proper guidelines and safety measurements within each radiation department, a radiation safety program was created for each department to follow. This program consists of a team composed of a radiation safety officer, radiation safety committee, and may include other health professionals in the radiation department as well.

4. The main role of the radiation safety program is to ensure proper oversight and measurements are taken for the safety of both staff and patients on a local, state and federal level. The program is developed to provide patients and staff with proper understanding of radiation safety through guidelines that address various safety protocols.

5. These protocols include having evaluation guidelines for protective devices, documentation requirements, identifying who has access and proper training of radiation equipment, protective measurements for both employees and patients, and educational and competency requirements set forth for patient education, personnel and initiatives for quality improvement. Along with a proper radiation safety program being established, there is also many interventions taken to decrease radiation exposure to the patient itself. This is the biggest concern for many patients first undergoing treatments involving radiation. Certain methods are taken in to account during the treatment itself. For example, to ensure the patient does not receive radiation to areas outside of the treatment spot, the patient is placed in a certain position in relation to the radiation beam. This will minimize radiation to the area that is not to be treated.

In addition, as discussed earlier, proper shielding or a lead apron can be placed over the patient to ensure reduction of radiation to the area not being treated. These protective devices are also routinely tested to ensure the integrity of the equipment being used is maintained.

Making sure proper measurements are taken for both patients and staff is essential for the success of radiation treatment.

In today's world, radiation treatments offer many benefits in the treatment of cancer.

Above were only a few of the protocols taken to ensure radiation safety. There are many more steps Radiation Therapy departments take to ensure safety which I did not cover in depth. This should give an indication for both patients and staff of laying their worries to rest. Radiation is not without risk, however if both patients and staff are properly educated beforehand there will be no room for concern. As members of the radiation department, it is crucial to proactively seek education on radiation safety, implementing safety principles, properly handling radiation equipment and taking precautions to ensure the safety of radiation exposure to both patients and staff. By having an in-depth understanding of radiation safety, among both patients and staff, there will be ultimate success in receiving and delivering exceptional care.