Radiation Therapy (RTT): Difference between revisions

Line 87: Line 87:


It is each student’s responsibility to adhere to the following guidance for radiation protection:
It is each student’s responsibility to adhere to the following guidance for radiation protection:
# Students must practice safe radiation and protection criteria and practice the principles of ALARA at all times. These are found in the [http://www.unmc.edu/ehs/radiation-safety/radiation-manual.html UNMC Radiation Safety Manual].
# Students must practice safe radiation and protection criteria and practice the principles of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) at all times. These are found in the [http://www.unmc.edu/ehs/radiation-safety/radiation-manual.html UNMC Radiation Safety Manual].
# The principles of decreased time and increased distance and shielding shall be employed when working with radiation.
# The principles of decreased time and increased distance and shielding shall be employed when working with radiation.
# The spread of any accidental contamination from radioactive materials will be decreased by frequent personnel monitoring and hand washing.
# The spread of any accidental contamination from radioactive materials will be decreased by frequent personnel monitoring and hand washing.
# Radiopharmaceuticals must be kept in lead shields until placed in a syringe shield for injection into the patient (Nuclear Medicine Technology).
# Radiopharmaceuticals must be kept in lead shields until placed in a syringe shield for injection into the patient (Nuclear Medicine Technology).
# Radiation exposure is measured by personnel monitoring device and finger TLD rings, (Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology and CVIT); therefore, they must be worn at all times within the department. Personnel monitoring devices are to be worn at the collar, and finger TLD rings on the dominant hand. It is the student’s responsibility to exchange badges and rings on a quarterly basis with person designated by the RSO for each program.
# Radiation exposure is measured by personnel monitoring device (e.g., radiation badge) and finger TLD rings, (Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology and CVIT); therefore, they must be worn at all times within the department. Radiation badges are to be worn at the collar, and finger TLD rings on the dominant hand. When wearing a lead apron the monitoring device must on the outside of the apron. It is the student’s responsibility to exchange badges and rings on a quarterly basis with person designated by the Radiation Safety Office (RSO) for each program.
# If your personnel monitoring device or finger TLD ring is lost or left where it can be exposed unknowingly, contact the respective program director immediately.
# If your personnel monitoring device or finger TLD ring is lost or left where it can be exposed unknowingly, contact the respective program director immediately.
# In accordance with the philosophy of keeping exposures ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), the Radiation Safety Office has established levels at which the dosimetry company will provide immediate notification of a higher than normal reading. These notification levels are presently as follows:
# If a student becomes pregnant, she is encouraged to voluntarily consult with the program director concerning the most appropriate procedure to ensure that exposure to the fetus is less than 500 mrem (5 mSv) for the entire gestation period. In addition to the radiation badge worn on the outside collar, a radiation badge is worn on the front abdomen area under the lead apron. For a student on the fetal monitoring program both badges are exchanged on a monthly basis.
# In accordance with the philosophy of keeping exposures ALARA, the RSO has established levels at which the dosimetry company will provide immediate notification of a higher than normal reading. These notification levels are presently as follows:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Dose Type !! Evaluation Level !! Investigation Level
! Dose Type !! Evaluation Level !! Investigation Level
|-
|-
| DDE (whole body) || 300 mrem || 600 mrem
| DDE (whole body) || 300 mrem (3 mSv) || 600 mrem (6 mSv)
|-
|-
| LDE (lens of eye) || 900 mrem || 1500 mrem
| LDE (lens of eye) || 900 mrem (9 mSv) || 1500 mrem (15 mSv)
|-
|-
| SDE (skin or extremity) || 900 mrem || 2000 mrem
| SDE (skin or extremity) || 900 mrem (9 mSv) || 2000 mrem (15 mSv)
|-
|-
| Declared Pregnant Woman || 40 mrem || 50 mrem
| Declared Pregnant Woman || 40 mrem (0.4 mSv) || 50 mrem (0.5 mSv)
|}
|}