Do carers and comforters require lead aprons during general radiographic examinations?

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dc.contributor.authorPerdomo, A.
dc.contributor.authorMcMahon, S.
dc.contributor.authorWilkie, T.
dc.contributor.authorFox, N.
dc.contributor.authorRao, P.
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractIntroduction: Carers and comforters frequently remain with children during paediatric general radiographic examinations. As well as improving the likelihood of overall success of the procedure, this can be important for minimising stress and anxiety of the child. Wearing lead aprons can contribute to additional stress and anxiety about the procedure for both carer and child, specifically due to radiation risk. It also introduces some practical challenges for radiographers. This study quantified a carers exposure to scattered radiation for general radiographic examinations when remaining with a child to assist in positioning or to comfort them. Methods: Scattered radiation was measured at four common locations where a carer may stand, with a range of tube potentials (40 kVp to 100 kVp) and PMMA thicknesses of 2.5–22.5 cm. This was then matched to our clinical protocols to estimate the radiation dose a carer could be exposed to while assisting a patient during general radiographic examinations. Results: The effective dose received by a carer standing 20 cm from the centre of the patient varies from 11 min of Australian natural BERT for a finger radiograph on a patient <3 kg and up to 62 h for a swimmers view radiograph performed on a patient >70 kg. Conclusion: This dosimetric data allowed an evidence-based assessment of radiation protection requirements for the carer using the ALARA principle. At our institution, it was decided that a lead apron is not required if the carer is unlikely to receive more than 2 μSv. A new policy, presented here, was developed to implement this decision.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityAmanda Perdomo, Stacey McMahon, Trent Wilkie, Naomi Fox, and Padma Rao
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, 2022; 66(1):25-33
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/1754-9485.13304
dc.identifier.issn1754-9477
dc.identifier.issn1754-9485
dc.identifier.orcidPerdomo, A. [0000-0002-2809-1886]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/145749
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherWiley
dc.rights© 2021 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/1754-9485.13304
dc.subjectlead apron; paediatric; radiation exposure; radiation protection; radiography.
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshRadiation Dosage
dc.subject.meshProtective Clothing
dc.subject.meshRadiation Protection
dc.subject.meshChild
dc.subject.meshCaregivers
dc.subject.meshAustralia
dc.titleDo carers and comforters require lead aprons during general radiographic examinations?
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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