Radiation regulations Flashcards
What are the 2 laws
IRR17 (ionising radiation regulations)
IRMER17 (ionising radiation medical exposure regulations)
What does IRR17 deal with
Deals with occupational exposures and exposure of the general public
What does a radiation risk assess ment say regarding which safety features should be carried out (IRR17)
o Adjacent areas must be protected
o A controlled area will be defined
o For intra oral x-rays this is usually 1.5m from x-ray tube and beam
What are the annual radiation dose limits for radiation workers
o Radiation workers: whole body limit of 6mSv/yr
o Members of public: whole body limit of 1mSv/yr
What does IRMER17 consist of
o Deals with exposure of patients (and some other groups)
o Enforced by healthcare improvement Scotland
What exposures does IRMER relate to
o Px as part of diagnosis or tx
o Health screening
o Research
o Asymptomatic individuals
o Carers and comforters
o Individuals undergoing non-medical imaging using medical equipment
What are the duty holders
- Referrer
- Practitioner
- Operator
- Employer
Who is the referrer
- Responsible for providing sufficient medical data so practitioner can justify
- Px ID
- Clinical details
- It is the responsibility of the referrer to record the outcome of the radiographic examination
Who is the practitioner
- Justifies and authorizes each exam
- Ensures dose is ALARP
- Comply with employers procedures
Who is the operator
- Carries out practical aspects that can affect px dose
- Responsible for selecting equipment and methods to limit dose to px Consistent with the purpose
- Follow employer’s procedures
- Must perform exam unless authorized as justified
- Records findings
Who is the employer
- Must provide referral criteria
- Must entitle staff to carry out role
