Radiation Protection

The following radiation safety rules have been established for the protection of the patient and personnel from ionizing radiation during radiology clinical education. These rules are a combination of State and Federal regulations and/or laws and additional guidelines in the use of ionizing radiation. These rules are mandatory, and any exception must be reported to the clinical instructor and Department Head immediately. All students shall practiceappropriate radiation safety procedures in protecting themselves, their patients and other personnel from unnecessary exposure.
Students may not expose any person to radiation without an order by a physician.
Understand and apply the cardinal principles of radiation control-time, distance and shielding.
Do not allow unfamiliarity result in poor radiation protection procedures.
Never stand in the primary beam.
Always wear protective apparel or stand behind a protective barrier.
Always wear the film badge device (supplied and monitored by NWHS) positioned outside the lead apron on the collar.
No individual should hold during an exposure on a regular basis.
Students will not be required to hold during an exposure.
If personnel and/or family hold a patient, they must wear lead protective devices.
Avoid radiographic examination of the pelvis and abdomen of a pregnant woman, especially during the first trimester.
Always collimate to the smallest field size appropriate for the examination.
Always follow facility protocols.