Introduction to Radiation Protection

radiation with sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms

measures employed by techs to safeguard patients, personnel, and the public from unnecessary exposure

damage to living tissue of animals and humans exposed to radiation

degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the patient

the upper doses of ionizing radiation for which there is a negligible risk of bodily injury or genetic damage

guide lines for x-ray exposure to patients; synonymous with the term Optimization for Radiation Protection (ORP)

• Time
• Distance 
• Shielding

method of comparing the amount of radiation received from a radiologic exam with an example of natural background radiation

the dose of radiation to which the surface of the body is exposed during a radiographic procedure

1/1000 of a sievert

SI unite measure for the radiation quantity, "equivalent dose"

the possibility of inducing radiogenic cancer or a genetic defect after irradiation

the benefit to the referring physician in having direct access to a patient's radiation dose history being the option of knowing whether or not the ordering of an additional radiologic procedure is advisable

• technologic enhancements, such as:
• embedded software capable of recording and reporting dose, timely notification of the patient and the referring physician when the radiation does is greater than 3 Gy, and substantial lowering of CT doses through improved technology and alterations to existing protocols