Radiation Protection for Healthcare Professionals: Your Role in Radiation Safety

 

Healthcare professionals who work with medical imaging equipment that produces ionizing radiation must prioritize both patient care and radiation protection. It is important to ensure that the right dose of radiation is administered to patients to provide optimal care while adhering to prescribed standards. However, healthcare professionals also have a responsibility to protect themselves from harmful radiation exposure.

While medical imaging has numerous benefits, when administered improperly, it can pose a danger to both healthcare professionals and patients. Therefore, it is crucial to follow radiation safety policies and use appropriate protective equipment to lead a healthy life. Kiran, the Radiology division of Trivitron Healthcare, plays a crucial role in radiation protection by providing safe, ergonomic, and affordable radiation protection solutions.

Direct beam exposure and scatter radiation pose the greatest risk of radiation exposure to healthcare professionals. It is mandatory for anyone in an x-ray room to wear radiation protection garments and accessories, such as lead aprons, lead glasses/goggles, thyroid collars, radiation reduction gloves, and barriers for additional protection. Healthcare professionals can also reduce the effects of radiation exposure by reducing the time of exposure, doubling the distance between the body and the radiation source, using proper personal protective equipment, practicing good hygiene, and labeling potentially radioactive areas to prevent the spread of contamination.

Cardiac Cath Labs with Angiography and Electro-physiology deliver the greatest dose of x-ray radiation when compared to other diagnostic medical procedures. Healthcare professionals in this field are exposed to low levels of scatter radiation over a long period. Therefore, it is necessary for these professionals to receive essential protection apparel such as lead aprons, thyroid collars, eye-protection, and radiation-reducing gloves of the highest quality available.

The medical community is committed to providing safe and quality healthcare. While leading-edge technology ensures better diagnosis and faster cures, it is up to healthcare professionals to use them correctly. By adhering to stringent health policies and pledging to protect patients and themselves, everyone can benefit from advanced medical technology. Therefore, radiation protection for healthcare professionals should be a top priority.