Week 4- Field Radiography Flashcards
What is the 2021 Health and Safety Executive radiography?
- all generators must be placed on a stand
- Not acceptable to hold the generator (increased exposure) (Risk of serious or fatal electric shock)
- Expsoure of personnel to radiation should be kept as low as reasonably possible
- Dose limits for the individual personnel should not be exceeded
What are the challenges associated with field radiography?
- Using expensive equipment around large animals
- No control zone
- Variable facilities
- Working with owners and untrained staff
- Time pressures
What is the ideal area for taking radiographs?
- Flat, level, dry ground
- Enough space to work around the horse safely
- Power supply
- Dark enough to allow visualisation
- Quieter part of the yard
Where is the biggest risk for scatter?
2m around the horse
* Need to minimise the number of people in the controlled zone
* Everyone should stand as far from the beam as possible
What is the radiation protection clothing?
- Lead lined gowns
- Lead lined gloves
- Lead lined thyroid protector
- Radiation dosimeter beneath the clothing
What is the dose limit for an 18+ employee?
20mSv
What is the dose limit for an 16-18 employee?
6mSv
What is the dose limit for members of the public?
1mSv
What are the two types of dosimeter you may see?
- Electric Personal Radiation Dosimeter
- Film badge Dosimeter
How would you prepare the hoof?
- Ensure horse is standing on a flat, even surface
- Clean the area thoroughly
- Hoof prep (remove the shoe if indicated, clean and pare the foot, pack the sole and the frog with playdoh)
How to measure exposure factors?
- Exposure charts minimise retake rate
- tailored to your particular system
- if radiographing a decreased tissue depth, the mAs will
need to be reduced accordingly
What do you need to consider when positioning for an x-ray?
- Ensure the limb or joint is vertical in the dorsal and
sagittal places for both weightbearing and flexed views - Horse on a firm level standing with limbs squarely
beneath them - Foot blocks for foot series
- Make sure the power cable will reach both sides of the
horse (if relevant)
When do you need to refer your radiography?
When higher exposures are required
eg for neck, backs, chests etc
* Portable generators usually only go to 100-110Kv.
* Higher exposure → increased scatter.
* Very hard to maintain alignment between
generator and plate without using bucky system
* Grid may be needed for some
Why should you not take radiographs in a stable?
- Too confined to work safely around the horse
- Can’t visualise behind the stable wall
