The purpose of this is ensuring the safe operation and application of ionizing x-radiation for the education of BSRS and BSRT students. The use of ionizing x-radiation for the diagnostic and therapeutic benefit of patients has been well established. The role of the medical imaging professional is to use the least amount of radiation necessary, in order to achieve maximum diagnostic results. The professional standard of As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) level of radiation is vitally important to the safe use of radiation and an integral component of this policy.
It is important that students have simulated real-world experiences in the proper use of ionizing x-radiation and to do so in a controlled environment with proper supervision. The use of Bellin College’s energized radiographic equipment will be used exclusively for its educational value.
Usage Rules and Requirements
- Use of the energized radiographic system will be strictly controlled by BSRS faculty and clinical staff. Under no circumstances will ionizing x-radiation be applied to living human tissues within the College learning laboratories. Ionizing x-radiation (x-ray) exposures will be permitted under the direct supervision of BSRS and BSRT faculty and will be limited to tissue equivalent x-ray phantoms, inanimate objects, and/or testing equipment.
- The concept of ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) will be consistently reinforced in all classroom discussions, simulation, laboratory exercise, and clinical experiences. Additionally, the Wisconsin Administrative Code and Rules of Chapter HSS 157 will be followed as it relates to student learning.
- A full copy of HSS 157 is on file with the BSRS and BSRT Program Director as well as in the central control area of the energized radiographic labs.
- Actual x-ray exposures will be permitted and supervised by BSRS and BSRT faculty. Electrical power may be supplied to the x-ray system for the operation of equipment features such as x-ray tube head motions, table locks and movements, collimator light, etc., but the x-ray exposure switch will be protected by a “lock and key” mechanism. X-ray exposures will be permitted only under direct supervision by qualified faculty.
- No x-ray exposures will be permitted with the x-ray room doors open and all exposures must be verbally announced to anyone in the vicinity prior to the actual exposure.
- All students, BSRS and BSRT faculty who use the x-ray system as part of their education will have on their body a personnel monitoring device (PMD) and worn in the proper location.
- PMDs need to be returned to the storage rack at the completion of the clinical rotation. PMDs should not be exposed to sunlight or temperature extremes and should remain at the clinical site for each clinical rotation.
- Personnel monitoring data will be maintained by College officials and reviewed regularly by the College Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
- Lead protective devices will be provided as customary devices for a real-world experience and will be used accordingly.
- Students or faculty will not be used to restrain or position anatomy in its proper orientation during an actual x-ray exposure.
- In the event of x-ray equipment malfunction, the BSRS and BSRT Program Director must be notified for appropriate corrective action.
- Lead protective devices will be inspected and inventoried annually by the College Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at the conclusion of each spring semester. Inspection will consist of visual, physical inspection. Suspect devices may be reviewed fluoroscopically for additional evaluation. Lead protection devices that are considered damaged and unsafe will be removed from circulation and replaced.
- For portables and fluoroscopy procedures, always wear a lead apron and thyroid collar, and stand as far away as possible from the x-ray source as deemed possible.
- While in a student clinical rotation, students are expected to comply with the radiation protection policies of the clinical site.
Radiation Monitoring – BSRS and BSRT
All students and Bellin College personnel will be provided appropriate radiation monitoring to ensure a safe educational and work environment. The following measures are in place in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code of Radiation Protection (Chapter HSS 157).
Personnel Monitoring Devices (PMDs) Usage Rules and Requirements
- PMDs will be provided to all students and faculty in the clinical setting. Students will be issued PMDs at the onset of clinical rotations by College officials.
- PMDs must be worn at the collar level and outside any lead protected device.
- PMDs must be worn at all times when in the presence of ionizing radiation for College activities including clinical rotations.
- PMDs are not to be shared or switched (exchanged) between students.
- PMDs are not to be worn during personal medical imaging procedures.
- PMDs will be changed on a quarterly basis and collected by the appropriate Clinical Coordinator.
- In the event of a declared pregnancy, a separate fetal badge will be worn in addition to the personal PMD.
- Lost or damaged PMDs must be reported to the Program Director immediately and replacement devices will be provided in a reasonable time frame.
- Students are responsible for reviewing their individual PMD data and maintaining awareness and understanding of the data.
- PMD exposure data will be reported quarterly as it becomes available from the contracted supplier.
- PMD exposure data is reviewed by the College Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
- All students will maintain an annual radiation exposure of less than the As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) levels. This represents 1/10 of the annual permissible does, which equates to 500 millirem (mrem) or less.
- Any student who is identified as approaching the ALARA limit will be counseled by the College RSO, with documentation placed in the student file.
- PMD exposure data records will be maintained in the RSO’s office as well as being posted in appropriate clinical radiologic areas.