Radiation and MRI Safety Awareness Training

Radiation and MRI Safety Awareness Training© 2016 Mission Health System, Inc.

Radiation and MRI

Safety Awareness Training

Annual Education

2016


Introduction

Departments throughout Mission Health use various forms of energy to

produce diagnostic images of patients. Some of these forms of energy can

be very dangerous to patients and hospital staff if certain precautions are not

followed.

This lesson provides important guidelines and safety information for working

in a facility that uses radiation and magnetic fields.

Objectives

• Identify areas where radiation and magnetic fields are used

• Recognize warning symbols and postings for these areas

• Follow safety rules for entering and working in these areas

• Explain what materials are forbidden in these areas and why

• Respond appropriately to emergencies in these areas


Types of Energy Sources Used for Imaging

Energy comes in many forms, such as heat, light, microwaves, lasers, radio and

television waves, sound waves, magnetic fields, and x-rays/gamma rays.

Some forms that you may encounter at Mission clinical departments:

• RADIATION

• Radiation sources come in two varieties: Radiation-producing

machines (which can be turned “on” and “off”), and Radioactive

materials (which are always “on”).

• Radiation from these sources can cause changes in biological tissue.

• MAGNETIC FIELDS

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses strong magnetic fields to

create images of soft tissues inside the body that cannot be imaged by x-

rays.

• While there is no strong evidence that the magnetic fields themselves can

harm individuals, the magnetic fields can cause metal objects to fly

through the air, which can seriously injure patients and staff in the room.


Radiation Basics - ALARAWe can think of radiation sources as being like a sun lamp or tanning bed. Skin will burn if exposed to it too long, or is too close, or is not protected by sunscreen.

Radiation used in hospitals is different, though, in that it can penetrate deeper than the skin to affect all organs of the body. Effects of significant overexposure can range from short term effects of reddening of the skin and hair loss to long term effects like cancer.

Therefore, it is important to limit our exposure to As Low As Reasonable Achievable, or ALARA.

Maintaining our exposure ALARA is the best way to minimize the potential for health effects from radiation exposure.


Radiation Basics – Time / Distance / Shielding

We approach radiation protection in the same way that we would protect ourselves from a sun lamp.

We use three basic radiation safety techniques to control exposures: Time, Distance, and Shielding.

TIME: Limit your time around the source.

DISTANCE: Maximize your distance from the source.

SHIELDING: Keep a wall or door between you and the radiation source.


Radiation-Producing Machines (X-Ray Machines)We use machines to generate x-rays. These machines only produce radiation for a few seconds at a time when the operator is pressing the button or stepping on the pedal. The rooms that the equipment is found in will have the “Radiation Area” sign on the doors of the room.

When you come upon a door with this sign, ALWAYS check with the technologists

BEFORE entering the room.

If responding to an emergency in an x-ray room, and the technologists are not using the equipment, there is no radiation present in the room and it is safe to respond to the emergency.


Radioactive Materials – Entering Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine departments use radioactive material that is always giving off radiation – there is no way to “turn it off.” Therefore, additional precautions are needed in these departments.

All Nuclear Medicine rooms have the “Radioactive Materials” sign on the doors of the rooms.

If you come upon a door with this sign, ALWAYS notify a technologist that you are in the area,

and follow any instructions provided by that individual.

If responding to an emergency in a Radioactive Materials area, check with the technologist to ensure that there are no immediate radiation safety hazards before proceeding, or contact the Radiation Safety Officer if no one is present.


Radioactive Materials – Inside Nuclear MedicineWithin nuclear medicine departments, you may find work areas with additional Radioactive Materials signs. These are areas where radioactive materials are handled or stored.

• Avoid lingering in these areas, as radiation is most likely present.• Do not enter these areas unaccompanied unless you have received

special training. • Do not handle, move, or remove bags or containers labeled

“Radioactive Material.”• Do not handle or dispose of trash in this area unless requested or

authorized.• Do not clean floors or counter tops unless requested or authorized.


Radioactive Materials - PackagesYou may also come across a container with one of these labels. These are shipping labels for packages containing radioactive materials.

If you find an unattended package with one of these labelsoutside of a nuclear medicine area, notify the Nuclear Medicine department or the

nearest security officer.


Radioactive Materials – Prohibited ItemsBecause radioactive materials are used in these areas, it is possible for contamination to occur. Contamination is simply radioactive material where it is not supposed to be, such as small drops on counter tops or on the floor.

Eating or drinking in these areas could lead to ingesting of these materials into your body, which would unnecessarily expose you to radiation.

Therefore, food and drinks are PROHIBITEDin areas with “Radioactive Materials” postings on the doors.


MRI Departments – Magnetic FieldsMRI machines use very strong magnetic fields to create images of internal organs that cannot be imaged by x-ray machines. These magnets are similar in strength to the large magnets used in salvage yards to pick up cars – they are very strong and ALWAYS ON.

Therefore, if you come upon a door with this posting,

DO NOT ENTER until you have permission by one of the MRI

technologists.


MRI Departments – Prohibited ItemsThe magnetic fields themselves do not present a hazard to patients and staff. The primary hazard around MRI machines is the potential for metal objects to be pulled into the magnet.

Certain types of metal have the potential to be pulled into the scanner with violent force.

Small objects such as hairpins and jewelry can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour as they fly through the air. Larger objects, such as oxygen cylinders and fire extinguishers can reach similar speeds.

In 2001, a six-year-old boy in New York was killed when an oxygen cylinder was brought into an MRI room, flew through the air, and hit him in the head, cracking his skull.

NEVER take a metal object into the scan room.


MRI Departments – Prohibited ItemsAny metal object that can be attracted to a magnet is PROHIBITED from entering the MRI scan room. This list can include, but is not limited to:

• Cleaning supplies (floor buffers, mop buckets, metal brooms)• Transport equipment (wheelchairs, gurneys, carts)• Tools (hammers, screwdrivers)• Office furniture and supplies (chairs, scissors)• Most portable medical devices (IV poles, insulin pumps)• Objects normally carried in pockets (keys, pocket knives, coins)

The MRI departments have some equipment that is “MRI Compatible.” These devices, typically made of aluminum (which is not attracted to magnets) are specially marked with GREEN stickers. Only MRI staff may take these objects into the scan room.

Also, many items can be permanently damaged by the strong magnetic fields, such as the magnetic stripes on credit cards and bank cards, watches, and other electronic devices.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCLfG4pKF9MYCFUOUDQodoswJKw&url=http://www.mriequip.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=898&ei=AVSyVffBMcOoNqKZp9gC&bvm=bv.98476267,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNFManETfyLNy8gvIc5_RwfgKfykrw&ust=1437836644302506


MRI Departments – Internal HazardsImplanted medical devices made with metal components are also drawn toward the magnet.

Therefore, individuals with such devices (aneurysm clips in the brain, heart pacemakers and cochlear [inner ear] implants to name a few) should not enter an MRI scan room, since the force of the magnet on these devices can cause severe pain and internal damage as the device is twisted and pulled under the influence of the magnet.

Staff should always consult with the MRI technologistif there is a question of whether someone

(patient or staff) should enter the scan room.


MRI Departments – RESTRICTED AREAONLY TRAINED STAFF MEMBERS will be allowed in MRI control rooms and scan rooms.

If you must enter the control room, notify an MRI technologist. The technologist will perform a screening, which consists of a set of questions to determine if you have any health concerns that would limit your access to the room.

The technologist will also ask you to remove all metal objects that could pose a hazard in the magnet field. ONLY after you have permission of the MRI technologist are you to enter the control room.

NEVER enter the control room or scan room if an MRI technologist is not present.


MRI Departments – Emergency ResponseResponding to emergencies in the MRI scan room takes careful consideration.

Many items we typically use to respond to emergencies (such as fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinders, or gurneys) pose hazards in the magnetic field.

ALWAYS check with the MRI technologist before entering the scan room or before taking any equipment into the room.

It may be necessary to remove the patient from the room before attending to their needs.

Always follow the direction of the MRI technologist in emergency situations.


For More Information…• Policies related to Radiation and MRI Safety are under the Corporate

Safety Manual, Section 14 (Radiation Safety) and Section 15 (MRI Safety).

• Copies of state radioactive materials licenses, x-ray registrations, state regulations, inspection reports, and personnel exposure reports are available for review in the Radiation Safety Office.

• The North Carolina Radiation Protection Section "Notice to Employees" postings are available in areas where radiation sources are used. This posting details your rights as a individuals working around radiation sources.

• For more information, contact the Radiation Safety Officer.

Travis White, Radiation Safety OfficerPhone: 828-213-1367E-mail: [email protected]

Radiation and MRI Safety Awareness Training

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