Criteria for rejection kent lambert and tara mckeon abstract. How to inspect your lead apron from burlington medical. Testing lead aprons is a requirement of state xray boards and other health care. For maximum efficacy, the apron should maintain functional integrity. Cracking usually happens if aprons arent stored correctly, but cracks can occur over time to the most immaculately cared for apron. Also, check the belts and fastening devices to confirm they are in good shape.
The lead apron thus offers the attenuation and shielding. Lite tech offers a full range of full wrap light lead and lead free aprons, to ensure protection from harmful radiation. The best way to routinely check lead aprons is to first lay them out on a flat surface and visually check all of the seams and the outer and inner covers for any visible damage. Full wrap aprons lead free xray aprons lightweight. There are three main inspection methods that are used to check lead aprons. A lead apron tracking software that lets you easily enter, organize and report your lead apron tracking information registered users feature request. The second method is to feel the apron with your hands, check for signs such as thinning of lead in certain areas, creasing within the apron, and any other signs that might require further inspection. Aprons should be placed on an appropriate hanger or in a storage rack after use figure 2b. In cases of questionable condition, one can choose to use fluoroscopy or radiography to look for holes and cracks. To ensure a thorough inspection of the lead apron, the following types of inspections are recommended. Then using your hands, feel the surface of the apron for any lumps, cracks. When properly cared for, an apron can provide years of service.
Regular lead apron inspection ensures that the aprons that are cracked, thinning, scratched or torn are discarded, making way for new and functional purchases. You can use the method when the apron is hung up on a storage rack or you can lay it down on a flat surface. Fluoroscopic or radiographic examination of lead aprons. The aim of the study was to carry out the radiographic assessment of four protective aprons denoted ad, to check for tear, crack, or pressure marks. Consequently, the leadimpregnated vinyl aprons may deteriorate and begin to have holes and cracks 24. Thats right, underneath the layer of fabric, the sheets of lead or composite material can crack and split leaving you vulnerable to radiation.
Health physics is responsible for checking the aprons, but cath lab personnel actually do the physical. A simple quality control tool for assessing integrity of lead equivalent. Also, you are tied to using a ct technologist to perform the testing, so you may be at the mercy of unscheduled and scheduled patients to perform your testing. In addition, all inspections should be logged in an inspection tracking system such as baims pro so that all assets. Aprons can fail testing for many reasons, the follow are the most common examples. Regular lead apron inspection ensures that the aprons that are cracked, thinning, scratched or torn are discarded, making way for new and. Lead apron check software lead apron inspection program. You will also want to make sure that when you spread an apron on the table you are able to scan all of the apron and not lose the edges if they reach down over the sides of the table. Attenuation, copper step wedge test tool, lead equivalent aprons, pixel. The importance of regular lead apron inspection infab. Lead aprons utilized by personnel performing fluoroscopy are routinely inspected for damage to comply with the requirements of hospital accrediting organizations. The bib apron smock talking trash video series duration.
1482 1008 1089 902 348 734 1555 1057 66 1151 1505 1385 318 386 901 523 1676 803 636 1632 1025 1399 488 770 1042 42 841 545 902 245 1374 1105 152 793 1405 719 870 1271 775 1369 714