Safety Tutorial for Radiology

1
Safety TutorialforRadiology

• Mrs. DeLutis
• Work Based Learning Coordinator
• Saranac Central School

2
Training Tasks for Radiology

• Determine patients x-ray needs by reading
  requests from physicians
• Explain procedures to patients
• Monitor equipment operation and report any
  malfunctions to supervisor
• Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room,
  emergency room, etc.

• Perform procedures such as mammography,
  sonograms, CT scans, MRI
• Position patient on examining table
• Set up equipment
• Adjust controls on equipment to get proper x-ray
  desired
• Prepare contrast materials (dyes) for patients

3
Pre-Test True or False?

1. Radiologists are always exposed to radiation?
2. Certain badges are worn when working with any
   kind of x-ray machine to determine your amount of
   exposure?
3. Radiologists could be exposed to Tuberculosis?
4. Radiologists have been trained to use the minimum
   amount of radiation on their patients?
5. A radiologist could come into contact with blood
   or other infectious material during the x-ray
   process?

4
Appropriate Clothing

• Over their clothing, Radiologists wear white lab
  coats. Comfortable shoes/sneakers (white) are
  also recommended.

5
Slip and Falls
There is potential for slip and falls in the
radiology area and also when using the portable
x-ray machine. You need to watch out for power
cords or fluids that could be spilled on the
floors, such as blood or vomit.

• Solutions
• Floors need to be kept clean and dry
• Aisles need to be clear and in good repair

6
Radiation Exposure

• Radiation exposure happens when you are near an
  x-ray machine in operation. The degree depends
  on the amounts, how long, and how close you were
  to the source.
• There is acute radiation exposure which causes
  nausea, vomiting, weakness or death.
• There is also chronic radiation exposure that
  causes skin cancer. This type of exposure may
  also lead to inherited defects in your children.

7
Radiation Exposure Cont.

• Solutions
• Film Badges, Double-Badging or Ring Badges are to
  be worn to measure your exposure to radiation.
  All of the badges are essential to your safety.
• X-ray rooms should be equipped with lead platted
  glass windows for you to step behind.
• Lead aprons or lead gloves should be worn when
  you are directly in the x-ray field.

8
Infectious Diseases

• An exposure to blood and other infectious
  materials could happen during the x-ray process.
• Solutions
• Be alert!
• Always wear gloves, masks, and gowns if blood
  exposure is expected
• Never pick up anything without your gloves on.

9
Airborne Diseases

• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Exposure to TB is serious and can occur during
  x-ray procedures.
• Solutions
• Learn about TB
• Make sure proper ventilation systems are in
  place.
• There should be a specific area designated for TB
  patients.
• TB patients should wear surgical masks and return
  to isolation room as soon as possible.

10
Airborne Diseases Cont.

• Signs and Tags
• Signs should be posted indicating that a patient
  with TB is in the room.
• There should be biological hazard signs posted on
  fans, ducts, filters notifying you of possible
  contamination.
• Anything that has been contaminated should have a
  warning label or sign on it.
• Do not enter a room were a patient has TB without
  wearing the proper protective respirator.

11
Ergonomic Hazards - Lifting

• Exposure is possible to work-related
  musculosketal disorders (strain and sprain
  injuries to back and shoulder area) from lifting
  and reaching for patients during x-ray procedures.

• Solutions
• Proper lifting training.
• Avoid twisting while lifting.
• Ask someone to help you with lifts.
• Ask patient to help facilitate the lift.
• Use mechanical devices to assist with the lift.

12
Machine Maintenance

• A person should be assigned the responsibility
  for proper and consistent maintenance of all
  x-ray machines.

13
Fire

• Find out where the fire extinguishers are located
  in every x-ray room and on your floor/unit.

14
Angry/threatening Patients

• Workplace violence
• Exposure to potential violence from
  uncooperative, disoriented, or angry patients.
• Solutions
• Get trained on how to deal with difficult
  patients.
• Know how to recognize, identify, and resolve
  potential violent situations.
• Be alert!
• Know where panic button is located.
• Know what number to call in case of an emergency.

15
HOW and to WHOM DO YOU REPORT AN INJURY

• Report all injuries to your supervisor.
• Document exactly what happened, including date
  and time.
• Get names of everyone involved, including
  patients.
• Were there any witnesses?

16
Post Test True or False

• It is not necessary to wear gloves when you know
  there will be blood involved?
• You could get a sprain or strain when lifting a
  patient the wrong way?
• TB is a serious airborne disease?
• Acute radiation causes skin cancer?
• Film badges are worn to fight radiation?

• Contact a supervisor if you have an injury?
• It is not necessary to know where fire
  extinguishers are on your floor or unit?
• It is not appropriate to ask for help when
  lifting a patient?
• All x-ray machines should have routine
  maintenance?
• Signs should be clearly posted if there is a
  patient with TB in the room?

17
Safety Web Resources

• www.advancedimagingingofmi.com/safetyofCT.htm
• www.radiologyinfo.com/content/safety/xray-safety.h
  tm
• http//pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/
  full
• www.medceu.com/tests/radiologysafety.htm

18
Answer Key-Pre-test

• False
• True
• True
• True
• True

19
Answer Key-Post-Test

• False
• True
• True
• False
• False
• True
• False
• False
• True
• True