|
|
|
|
You are here: DOH Home » EH Home » Radiation Home » Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance |
|
Section Home Pages • X-Ray • Environmental Radiation Monitoring and Assessment • Radiological
Emergency Preparedness Fact Sheets Publications Reference
The Division of Environmental Health licenses, certifications, and permits
|
|||
Radiation Safety and Quality Assuranceby MIMI L. FIELDS, MD, MPH, FACPM
This article originally appeared in the Northwest Physician Magazine, Fall 1996, pages 20-22. Re-printed by permission. Four page, black and white glossy reprints are available from the Office of Radiation Protection. Whether this question is asked by one of your patients or by any concerned person, it provides you with an opportunity to educate on an issue which elicits much fear and misunderstanding. The answer to the question depends on a variety of factors. The most important is that you, the practitioner, know your radiation machinery (your x-ray machine, your radioisotope inventory, your teletherapy units, etc.), what it was designed to do; and how you can best use it as intended to reach the diagnosis and treatment results you need. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Office of Radiation Protection, wants to work with you to produce the highest quality diagnostic radiographs, to have the lowest possible patient and worker exposure, to handle and store radioactive materials safely, and to assist you in achieving compliance with regulations. Just as physicians are concerned with quality and safety as they make accurate diagnoses and treatment, the Department of Health is also concerned with quality and safety of equipment, and operator and patient exposure. This article is intended to let you know what DOH does, and why and how we do it. In addition, common problem areas for users of radiation machines and radioactive materials, and the individuals to contact to answer your questions or for further information are identified. The Role of the Department of Health The 1961 session of the Washington State Legislature assigned to DOH, the responsibility to regulate the uses of ionizing radiation in Washington state. The statutory authority (in Chapter 70.98 of the Revised Code of Washington and in the subsequently adopted rules in the Washington Administrative Code, Chapters 246-220 to 246-254 WAC) directs DOH to license, register, regulate and periodically inspect all of the uses of ionizing radiation. This means the DOH registers x-ray facilities, licenses the use of radioactive materials, provides on-site technical assistance, conducts inspections, and evaluates your quality assurance program. In addition to regulating the use of radiation machines and radioactive materials, the department is responsible for regulating the commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal site near Richland, and for responding to radiation emergencies including emergencies which might occur at the Washington Public Power Supply System's nuclear reactor or the U.S. Department of Energy facilities at Hanford Reservation. On a continuing basis staff monitor Washington's environment for concentrations of radionuclides. We also regulate the air emission of radionuclides wherever radioactive materials are used. Radiation Exposures in Washington state
The U.S. national annual average effective dose equivalent for humans is 360 millirem. A millirem is a standard measure of radiation dose. Examples of radiation doses from common medical procedures are:
For most members of the public, the largest single source of exposure to radiation comes from radon. Potential exposure varies from one region of the state to another: from almost none in the San Juan Islands to very high (averaging 1,475 mrem/yr.) around Spokane. Increased lung cancer due to radon has been demonstrated in studies on miners, however, studies on people exposed at normal residential levels are less conclusive. Given the possibility of elevated levels, it is prudent to test homes for radon, especially in the Northeast part of the State. For more information on home testing contact Mike Brennan at (360) 236-3253. The chart (Figure 1) also indicates that the medical uses of radiation are responsible for 15% of human exposure. The practitioner must balance the risk associated with each examination with the benefit. It is essential that the lowest possible human exposure (consistent with good diagnostic quality from X-rays) be used. Figure 2 illustrates five means of ensuring good diagnostic quality x-rays. Figure 3 illustrates five radiation safety measures for users of medical radioisotopes to follow. Continuing education of the health care practitioner and technician is also necessary to ensure minimal exposure to the patient and the worker, to reduce the number of re-takes and to obtain good diagnostic quality x-rays and nuclear medicine films. How does the Office of Radiation Protection staff work with health care facilities to maintain good radiation safety practice? There are a number of ways: staff provide educational classes, review shielding requirements for a facility, license and inspect facilities to ensure that proper preventive measures are being applied, review facilities' quality assurance programs, and provide on-site technical assistance in any area concerning the uses of radiation. Our goals include being supportive and helpful to you in maintaining quality care and safety for you, other workers, and all patients in their work and practice environments. In summary, the state health agencies' radiation protection program wants to work with you. Both the health care practitioners and DOH are concerned with quality assurance and radiation safety in order to make accurate diagnoses and treatment, and to protect all people from unnecessary exposures. The safe use of radiation is the result. NEED MORE INFORMATION? REPRINTS? WANT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE? For assistance in evaluating x-ray films, exposures to patients and operators, and x-ray machine performances, contact Ellen G. Haars at 360-236-3231. For information on safe uses of radioactive materials, and licensing, contact Arden Scroggs at 360-236-3220. For reprints of this article, contact Joy Redman at 360-236-3220. WAYS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR DIAGNOSTIC FILMS:
RADIATION SAFETY TIPS FOR USERS OF MEDICAL RADIOISOTOPES:
Mimi L. Fields, MD, MPH, FACPM Dr. Fields is the Washington State Health Officer/Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health, and Assistant Dean for Public Health Practice at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington. She has been an acknowledged leader in health and public health in Washington State and the nation for over 10 years. Dr. Fields received her Bachelor of Arts , Summa Cum Laude from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; M.D. from University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri; and M.P.H. from Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. She had clinical training in Obstetrics/Gynecology, and is Board Certified in General Preventive Medicine and Public Health. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Fields also has experience teaching and lecturing; has had academic appointments and publications; and has international public health experience. As Health Officer, she is actively involved in broad health issues with particular
focus on individual, community and population based prevention. Her greatest commitment
lies in helping people make safer and informed choices, and in helping provide a system
which ensures quality and access for all people in order to live healthier and happier
lives. |
|||
|
DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information Washington State Department of Health
Office of Radiation Protection
Physical Address:
Send inquires about DOH and its programs to the
Health
Consumer Assistance Office |
