IRR/IRMER

Question 1

Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR)

Answer 1

A set of statutory guidelines governing the use and control of ionising radiation in the united kingdom

■ The regulations apply to:
1. Employers and employees who work with ionising radiation
2. Radiation protection advisers (RPA)
3. Radiation protection supervisors (RPS)
4. Health and safety officers

Question 2

What does IRR stand for?

Answer 2

Ionising Radiation Regulations

Question 3

What is ALARP

Answer 3

As Low As Reasonably Practicable

Question 4

ALARP = HOW TO OPTIMISE DOSE

Answer 4

ALL EXPOSURES MUST BE JUSTIFIED BY A PRACTITIONER TO ENSURE THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE HARM

ALL DIAGNOSTIC EXPOSURES MUST BE OPTIMISED TO KEEP DOSES AS LOW AS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE - ALARP

Question 5

Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR)

Answer 5

Main aim:
- Ensure that exposure to ionising radiation is kept as low asreasonably practicable (ALARP). this is achieved by:

• Placing duties on employers to protect employees and the public
• Requiring employers to keep exposure to ionising radiation ALARP
• Requiring exposures to not exceed specified dose limits
• Minimising unintended, excessive, or incorrect medical exposures
• Justifying each exposure to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks
• Optimising diagnostic doses to keep them “ALARP”

Question 6

Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure)
Regulations (IR(ME)R) 2017

Answer 6

Aim

■ Ensure patient and staff doses are kept alarp.
■ Protect patients
■ Requires medical employers to ensure that medical exposures are optimised
■ Encourages diagnostic reference levels to be used to aid in the optimisation of diagnostic radiological practices
■ Requires procedures in place to check for pregnancy in
persons of childbearing potential (12 – 55 yoa)

Question 7

What does IRRMER stand for ?

Answer 7

Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations

Question 8

(IR(ME)R) 2017 Cont.….

Answer 8

KEY: IRMER CORE PRINCIPLES: JUSTIFICATION + OPTIMISATION
1. JUSTIFICATION – all x-ray examinations must be justified on an individual patient basis i.e., benefits outweigh potential risks

2. OPTIMISATION - the dose a patient receives is the minimum required to good quality radiographs i.e., ALARP

There are 5 main duty holders under irmer:
1. Employer
2. Referrer
3. Practitioner
4. Operator
5. Medical physics expert

Question 9

Referrer Roles

Answer 9

Make sure it is justified / Make sure name, date, identification information is there.

-Provide sufficient relevant medical data - allow practitioners to justify exposure.

-Ensure they are clearly identified on the referral and that it is signed physically or electronically.

-Provide accurate identification information for the patient and the procedure - allow operators to correctly identify the individual and perform correct medical exposure

Question 10

The justification of Patient Exposure

Answer 10

The referrer should consider the following 5 questions:

1. Do I need it? – will the results affect patient treatment/management?
2. Do I need it now? – has the patient’s condition changed since previous examination? is it too early to detect significant changes?
3. Has it been done already? – was there a previous referral from other professional? was patient x-rays elsewhere?
4. Have I explained the problem? – has sufficient medical information provided for the request to be justified?
5. Is this the best investigation? – could us or mri scan be considered?