Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Radiation Protection

While new technology abounds in radiology, safety is overlooked and dismissed. The RT Health Study 1983-1998 concluded there is increased risk of breast cancer among female x-ray techs due to occupational exposure, yet we still wear lead aprons patterned after those worn 80 years ago! The old 'open-sleeve' x-ray aprons do not protect the lateral breast area. One case of breast cancer per 1,000 is ok, as long as its not ME. Rad nurses should insist on better protection. Some Rad Nurses soak-up more radiation than x-ray techs. Where's the innovation in safety? The only place I've found that offers better breast protection in x-ray aprons is called Shielding International but they only sell to distributors, not to individuals!!!

Featured Replies

Good topic!!!!!!! Our department does all angio except heart. We also do nephro tubes, AV shunts and stents. Recently, we got a new CT scanner that can fluoro.

Since there are only 2 of us, my badge readings went thru the roof when the other girl took a vacation!! We usually hit ALARA I over 3 months, but I hit it in 1 month!!! I always use time, distance and shielding, but with sedation, one can only go so far. I think Rad RN's need better shielding AND hazzard pay!!!! When I voiced my concerns I was told "Well, you better make sure you use your thyroid shield"!!!!!!!

  • Admin

I've bought aprons from Rad-Mart, and remember seeing aprons offering better lateral breast protection. Do the Radiologists and Rad Techs share your concerns? Seems your Radiation Safety Officer should be involved in this, as well, and perhaps OSHA, if you get no positive responses/action from the former. Put your concerns in writing, back them up with literature and send them to all possible involved persons, up the ladder to the top.

No one will advocate for your safety except YOU.

If you still get no action, perhaps a call to your local newspaper would get some attention to the problem-- and it IS a PROBLEM.

Good Luck.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
Go to topic listing

Currently Reading 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.