Regulations and legal responsibilities Flashcards

1
Q

examples of effects of ionising radiation (4)

A

genetic effects (can affect later generations)
cataracts
radiation burns
tumours (esp thyroid)

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2
Q

2 biggest sources of radiation

A

radon

CT

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3
Q

Why are dental radiographs worrying

A

low dose but high volume

millions of dental radiographs every year, many of these not helpful for diagnosis

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4
Q

what is the background radiatio dose in UK

A

2.5 mSv

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5
Q

name of most recent radiation regulation

A

IRMER2000 (Ionising Radiation (medical exposure) Regulations

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6
Q

name of legislation to keep

a) general public and staff safe
b) keep patient dose as low as poss

A

a) IRR99

b) IRMER2000

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7
Q

5 elements of a risk assessment

A
  1. identify hazards (dose)
  2. decide who might be harmed and how they might be affected
  3. likelihood of risk
  4. record
  5. periodic review
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8
Q

what does RPA stand for and what do they do 6

A
Radiation Protection Adviser
every dental practice must have one
-sets requirements for controlled areas/local rules
-prior examination of plans for new equipment, rooms
-periodic safety testing 
-calibration of dose measuring equip
-RA/contingency plan
-investigation after radiation incident
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9
Q

what does RPS stand for, what do they do

A

Radiation Protection Supervisor (usually dentist)
every dental practice must have one.
RPS ensures local rules are followed (how to work safely in controlled area) must be trained and have authority

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10
Q

what is contained in local rules WARC

A
  • how to work safely in controlled area
  • RPA and RPS name and contact no.
  • identification of controlled area
  • summary of working instructions
  • contingency for accidents/ emergencies
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11
Q

radiation limits in controlled area

A

annual dose >6mSv or 3/10 of dose limit

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12
Q

who should be allowed in controlled area

A

pt ONLY

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13
Q

who does dose limits apply to

A

staff, trainees, anyone OTHER THAN PATIENT

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14
Q

what is a ‘classified person’

A

someone exposed to more than 6mSv/ year or more than 3/10 of dose limit
eg nuclear power statio worker (never dentists)

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15
Q

what is a dose constraint

A

not limits but recommended levels that should not be exceeded in normal practice
– 1mSv Operators directly involved with
radiography
– 0.3mSv For employees not directly involved &
“comforters and carers”

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16
Q

4 Classes of duty holder, defined in IRMER 2000

A
  • referrer: requests radiograph, must include history and examination (justification for radiographs)
  • practitioner: justification of radiographs using selection criteria
  • operator: carries out investigation
  • employer
17
Q

what does ALARP stand for

A

As Low As Reasonably Practicable

18
Q

activites undertaken by operator

A
  • identify pt
  • position film, x-ray tube, pt
  • set exposure parameters
  • process films
  • evaluate quality of films
19
Q

What is optimisation?

A

keeping dose ALARP-eg justification, field reduction, using modern equipment

20
Q

duties of employer

A
  • have written protocols
  • establish diagnostic reference levels
  • RA
  • ensure staff are trained
  • notificatio of HSE
21
Q

duties of employee

A
  • not expose yourself or anyone to ionising radiation greater than necessary
  • use PPE as necessary
  • report equipment defects
  • keep up with training
22
Q

who is the medical physics expert often the same person as?

A

RPA

23
Q

what do medical physics experts give advice on?

A
  • patient dosage
  • development/ use of new or complex techniques
  • other matters of patient dose/ exposure
24
Q

should we ask if pt are pregnant before taking x-rays in dentistry

A

no-not relevant bc of field of x-ray

25
Q

difference between dose limit and diagnostic reference levels

A

dose limit: max radiation dose for staff/ public

diagnostic reference levels: dose for typical examinations for patient from specific equipment/ technique

26
Q

how were DRLs decided?

A

1/3rd quartile of national

27
Q

why is ionising radiation dangerous

A

generation of free radicals and direct interaction with DNA

28
Q

DRL in 1999 and 2007 in

a. mandibular molar intra-oral
b. standard adult panoramic

A

a. mandibular molar intra-oral: 4 –> 2.4 mGy

b. standard adult panoramic: 65 –> 60mGy

29
Q

who to report excessive exposure (20x intended) by

a. human error
b. equipment fault

A

a. human error: RPA,CQC

b. equipment fault: RPA, HSE, MDA

30
Q

3 functions of training

A

ensure staff know:

  • risks of x rays
  • necessary precautions
  • importance of complying with legislations
31
Q

recommended training continuation

A

1 day course every 5 years

32
Q

certificate required by operators

A

NEBDN or BDA certificate in dental radiography

33
Q

certificate required to process x ray

A

certificate of dental nursing or equivalent