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"Understand that distance is your friend," says Dr. Cason.
"Distance exponentially decreases your exposure. If you're not
actively involved in the case, all you need is 6 feet."
5. Monitored exposure
In addition to protective garments, those present during C-arm
use must also wear a dosimeter film badge outside their clothing
to monitor the cumulative amount of radiation the unprotected
parts of the body receive. Regularly ship used badges to the man-
ufacturer for monitoring.
"The film badge is the legal record, the best way to track expo-
sure," says Mr. Launders. "Keeping track of badges is not trivial."
Ask new hires where else they've worked with radiation to
update their lifetime exposure statistics, says Dr. Morin. If staffers
moonlight at other facilities where they're exposed to radiation,
Mr. Launders recommends they take their badges along. If a staff
member becomes pregnant, the radiation safety officer should re-
evaluate their exposure risks. And dose information should be
recorded in patients' charts.
OSM
E-mail
db ernard@outpatientsurg ery.net
.
S U R G I C A L S A F E T Y
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