The protection of the patients

Question 1

Diagnostic Reference Level

Answer 1

essentially investigation levels that exceeded, trigger a detailed investigation into the causes of unusually high exposure

Question 2

Radiation Generating Equipment (RGE)

Answer 2

• Computed Tomography
• Interventional Radiology
• Radiography (Fixed/Mobile)
• C-Arm/ O-Arm
• Mammography
• BMD
• Dental (Intraoral/OPG/CBCT)

Question 3

CT dose index (CTDI)

Answer 3

CT dose index (CTDI) (measured in mGy) is a standardized measure of radiation dose output of a CT scanner which allows the user to compare radiation output of different CT scanners.

Question 4

Patient Dose Absorbed Dose

Answer 4

Skin dose; Enterance Surface dose (ESD)
- Measure the dose of the skin where beam, enters the patient
- Can be measured through a Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) or with ionization chamber

Question 5

What is BERT

Answer 5

Background Equivalent Radiation Time

To convert effective dose from the exposure to time in days, weeks, months or years to obtain the same effective dose from annual background radiation

Question 6

Reduction of Patient Exposure

Answer 6

• Limit unnecessary exams and repeat exams
• Use properly trained personnel
• Limiting the total “beam–on” time
• Avoiding oblique lateral projections
• High frequency generators
  Reduce dose ~26% compared to single phase
  *Rare earth film/screen combinations (600/1200)
  *Proper radiographic technique
  Use higher kVp, less mAs on digital
  Proper use of collimation
  *Sectional filters/gonadal shields
  *Ten-day rule –> a window of ten days after the onset of menses is considered “safe”
• Use of correct exposure protocols for patient examinations including paediatric protocols

Question 7

If pregnant women is irradiated to the fetus how?

Answer 7

• Pre-implantation : 5+ rads have produced fetal death in animals in this period
• Period of major organogenesis (3-8 wks) : data suggest malformations occur at 10 rads

Question 8

When there is suspicion of radiation exposure in excess of requirements?

Answer 8

–Radiographic technique factors such as kVp, mAs and SSD should be recorded
Good reason for logging each exposure

–Patient position should be recorded

–The concept of ALARA should always be adhered to

–Regulatory agency should be notified