Radiology Flashcards
What does the ICRP system say that all radiation exposures should be?
Justified- benefits outweigh the risks
Optimised- ALARP
Limited- Limit the radiation dosage so that no person receives an unacceptable level of exposure
What is IRR17?
Ionising radiation regulations 2017- deals with exposures of staff and the general public.
What is IRMER17?
Ionising radiation medical exposure regulations 2017- deals with exposures of patients.
What are the implications of IRR17 for dentists?
NHS- NHS is responsible for compliance as the employer
Private owner- owner is responsible as the employer
What must the employer do to be able to use x-rays?
Must obtain registration from HSE.
Who is the radiation protection advisor?
Advise the employer on what they need to do to comply with the regulations.
What is the controlled area?
A designated area surrounding the x-ray beam.
For intra-oral radiographs it is 1.5mm.
What medically-related types of exposures apply in IRMER17?
Patients as part of diagnosis or treatment
Health screening
Research
Asymptomatic individuals
Carers and comforters
Individuals undergoing non-medical imaging using medical equipment
What is a new requirement of IRMER17 regarding information shared to the patient?
Information given to patient about the benefits and risks of the radiation exposure.
- information poster is sufficient in many cases.
Who are the individuals involved in IRMER17?
Referrer- person who requests the specific x-ray
- Must provide sufficient medical data to the practitioner to enable justification.
Practitioner- person who authorises the x-ray
- Justified and authorises the x-ray.
- Ensures doses are ALARP.
Operator- person who takes the x-ray and reports on the x-ray
Sent back to the referrer.
How do you justify an x-ray being taken?
The objectives of the exposure and why you wish to take it.
Benefits (both to the individual and the public) and risks.
What are the responsibilities of the operator?
To select equipment and methods to limit dose to patient consistent with the purpose.
Follow employer’s procedures
Must not perform exam unless authorised as justified.
Who’s responsibility is it for procedure to be optimised?
Practitioner and the operator.
