Legislation Flashcards
Why is legislation necessary?
As exposure to ionising radiation = risk to the person exposed
This could be patients, staff or the general public.
What helps to minimise the risks of exposure?
Complying with appropriate legislation
What are IRR99 & IR(ME)2000?
IRR99 - Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999
IR(ME)2000 - Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000
Regulations governing the appropriate use of ionising radiation in medicine and dentistry
What did IRR99 deal with?
IRR99 deals with equipment and the protection of staff and the general public
What was IR(ME)R 2000 aimed at?
Aimed primarily at the protection of patients
What did both IRR99 & IR(ME)2000 require?
Large amounts of documentation!
What replaced the IRR99 on 1st Jan 2018?
IRR17.
What replaced the IR(ME)2000 on 6th Feb 2018?
IR(ME)R 17
What is a radiation protection advisor (RPA)?
A medical physicist or specialist company
When should you consult RPA?
- Planning new surgery
- Radiation over dose
How do the RPA and Medical Physics Expert differ?
RPA has a role in the IRR2017 regulations whereas MPE is part of IRMER2017
Although could be the same person!
What does the size of the controlled area depend on?
Size depends on:
- kV of machine
- 1.5m for under 70kV - Local Rules
- DDH stand 2m away for all machines or behind appropriate shielding
What members of staff usually take the role of Radiation Protection Supervisor - RPS?
Usually dentist or senior member of staff
Who do ‘local rules’ apply to?
Apply to all employees
What do local rules relate to?
Radiation protection
What must the local rules include?
- Name of RPS & MPE
- Name of person with legal responsibility for compliance – usually employer
- Identification & description of controlled area
- Contingency arrangements if malfunction – these need to be rehearsed
- Details & results of dose investigation levels
- Name & contact details of RPA
- Personal dosimetry arrangements
- Arrangements for pregnant staff
- Reminder of IRR2017 obligations
Under IR(ME)R2017, what do Medical Physics Expert need to be involved in and what must they do?
Need to be involved in development & review of all dental procedures
What are the 4 roles in radiography?
- Employer
2. Referrer
3. Practitioner
4. Operator
What are the entitlements of an employer in dentistry?
- Referrers - Operators - Practitioners
What must employers be before they undertake various roles in IR(ME)R?
They must be;
- trained
- competent to undertake the role
What procedures must the employer carry out?
- Produce written procedures
- Protocols for taking radiographs
- Appoint RPA and RPS
- Ensure staff read the local rules
- Establish recommendations for Selection Criteria
- Establish recommendations for radiation dose levels
- Ensuring a Clinical Evaluation of every image is carried out, including where appropriate factors relating to patient dose.
What written procedures must the employer produce?
What does this involve?
Entitlement of duty holders
This includes:
- Identification of the patient.
- Demonstrate staff training and competence.
- Quality Assurance of procedures/documentation.
- Clinical Audit.
What are the enrolments of selection criteria 1?
- All radiographic exposures must be justified
- The selection of radiograph is based on the patient’s history & examination
- The choice of radiograph should be based on the prevalence of the disease & rate of progression & diagnostic accuracy of the imaging technique
- Decision making should be documented in the patient’s records
What should the choice of radiograph be based on?
- The prevalence of the disease
2. The rate of progression & diagnostic accuracy of the imaging technique