General Policies and Procedures
It is the policy of the Radiology Department to provide excellent radiographic services and to deal diplomatically and effectively with patients and their families, physicians, nurses and other departments throughout the Hospital.
Only the physician has the authority to discuss the patients' conditions with anyone. The technologist must, therefore, never (under any circumstances) divulge information regarding a patient's condition.
Request forms in quadruplicate are to be completed by the requesting physician, indicating the patient's name and all relevant clinical information. Doctors should both print and sign their names.
Outpatients will personally bring their request forms to the Reception Desk. Inpatient request forms are to be brought by a Nurse or Messenger service.
In all cases involving female patients, the 10-day Rule must be applied.
The Ten-Day Rule
The purpose of this 10-day Rule is to reduce the likelihood of irradiation of pregnancy in all female patients of reproductive capacity, the Clinician requesting the examination should first consider the possibility of early stage of pregnancy. It is the responsibility of the requesting Clinician to ascertain the LMP and to enter said information in the proper place on the requisition.
When there is any doubt about the advisability of carrying out an investigation or of the nature of the investigation required, the matter should be discussed with the Radiologist.
If the 10-day rule is to be observed, the booking Clerk should explain to the patient that the examination can be carried out only within the 10 days following the first day of the menstrual cycle and book the examination accordingly.
When the patient returns for the x-ray examination, the Radiologist or Radiographer should check that the predicted menstrual period did, in fact, occur.
The implications of the 10-day rule should be made known to the patient. The patient bears the responsibility of giving accurate information concerning the possibility of a current pregnancy and the details of her menstrual cycle.
Hospital authorities should take the necessary steps to caution patients on the risks involved in x-rays during pregnancy, e.g. the posting of notices regarding the risks of x-ray during pregnancy, such as "Some X-Ray Examinations during pregnancy may be harmful. If you could be pregnant, you should tell the doctor."
The following note should be posted in the female changing rooms "please inform the Radiographer if you are, or may be, pregnant, before you are x-rayed."
It is the responsibility of the Department to insure that its workers are protected from the routine hazards associated with employment in a Radiology Department. The radiation workers, in turn, are to know and adhere to the safety rules and regulations of the Department.
Although there is very little radiation exposure involved in handling of radiographic equipment for diagnostic procedures, precaution is always necessary.
Since permissible levels are somewhat arbitrary, radiation exposure should always be kept to a minimum. By adhering to the basic principles of radiation protection, maximum control of radiation exposure can be achieved.
Making use of lead aprons and gloves by all personnel should be worn by the personnel as protective materials in areas where there is the possibility of scattered or secondary radiation.
All personnel must remain behind the protective lead barriers during x-ray exposures. Radiation badges must be worn by all personnel exposed to or working with ionizing radiation. The badges are to be analyzed monthly and reports submitted to the proper authority.
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