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Report No. 053 - Radiation Information for Hospital Personnel (1995) Category: Reports X-ray machines and radiation emitting sources are used in hospitals for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Some of the hospital employees who work in radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and some laboratories are specifically trained in the operation of radiation machines and the handling of radioactive materials and sources. These personnel are called “occupational workers.” Other hospital workers may work around radiation sources, and may be indirectly exposed to radiation during performance of their normal duties. These employees are “allied medical workers” and may belong to nursing, housekeeping, maintenance, security, shipping/receiving, and clerical departments. In addition, patient transport, operating room, and recovery room personnel may come in contact with brachytherapy (radioactive implant) and nuclear medicine patients. This booklet is designed to inform allied medical workers about the nature of radiation, its use in the hospital, and methods of radiation protection. The major areas covered in this booklet are: • sources of radiation in the medical environment, • radiation protection methods, • instructions for workers, • radiation risks and biological effects, • and radiation exposure and pregnancy. While the potential exposure to allied medical workers from radiation is very low, and the hazard (risk) is usually minimal, all radiation exposure should be kept to a minimum. Further information can be obtained from your Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). Let us begin by defining “radiation.” https://doi.org/10.37206/52 ISBN: 978-1-563964-80-0 Radiation Safety Committee Charles A. Kelsey, Morris I. Bank, Ralph Lieto, Jeff Colvin, Sam Lott, Casmir Eubig, Janet Schlueter, Mary Fox, Douglas Shearer, Frances Harshaw, Michael Tkacik, Hsin M. Kuan, Terry Yoshizumi, Libby F. Brateman, Indra J. Das Committee Responsible: Radiological Protection Subcommittee Last Review Date: 2023 |
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