Radiation safety, explained
Plain answers for staff, patients and visitors. This is general information: your facility’s Radiation Safety Officer has the final word on local rules.MPA to review this page
Time, distance, shielding
Less time near the beam, more distance from it, and a barrier between you. How that looks in fluoroscopy and CT.
- Keep exposure time short: step out of the room, or behind the control booth, whenever you aren’t needed at the table.
- Distance helps the most. Dose falls quickly as you move away from the patient, who is the main source of scattered radiation.
- Wear a lead apron and thyroid shield when you must stay in the room during fluoroscopy, and use ceiling-mounted shields when they’re available.
Pregnancy and imaging
What declared pregnant workers and pregnant patients should know before a shift or an exam.
- Staff: you can declare a pregnancy in writing to your Radiation Safety Officer at any time. Once you do, a lower dose limit applies for the rest of the pregnancy, and you may get a second badge.
- Patients: tell the technologist before any exam if you are or might be pregnant. Many exams are still the right choice, and the team can adjust or choose another test.
- Declaring is voluntary, and you can withdraw a declaration in writing.
After an incident
Who to call, what to write down, and what must be reported to the state or city, and how quickly.
- Make the area safe and call your Radiation Safety Officer right away.
- Write down what happened while it’s fresh: the time, the equipment, the people involved and what they were doing.
- Your RSO decides whether the event must be reported to the New York State or New York City regulator, and the deadline, which can be as short as 24 hours.
Dosimetry badges
Where to wear your badge, when to swap it, and how to read the quarterly report.
- Wear your badge every shift you might be exposed. In fluoroscopy, wear it at the collar, outside the lead apron, unless your facility tells you otherwise.
- Never share a badge or leave it in a procedure room, and swap it on the date your facility sets.
- Each report shows your dose for the period and the year to date. If a number looks high, ask your RSO.