As a Parent, you can track your child's radiation exposure with the help of a Medical Imaging Record.Tracking the number of radiologic studies children are exposed to helps inform treating physicians of recent similar exams and helping them to decide if exams are necessary. Tracking the number of exams and location where the images are stored can be helpful in alerting families and their care providers to the issue of radiation safety.
Similar to an immunization record, you can record where and when a study was performed. This is particularly important when medical care is provided by a variety of physicians/ emergency rooms/ hospitals and can help decrease the number of repetitive exams.
You can download your child's immunization tracking record at http://www.pedrad.org/associations/5364/ig/index.cfm?page=591.
-Image Gently
Sunday, May 2, 2010
How can I help as a Parent?
-Your child may be upset or feel your anxiety. Speak calmly and firmly to reassure your child.
-Praise him or her for being cooperative and helping the radiologic technologist.
-Listen closely to the instructions the technologist gives your child. Ask how you can be of assistance.
-If you remain in the examination room with your child during a procedure, be sure to ask for special shielding to protect you from the radiation beam.
-Praise him or her for being cooperative and helping the radiologic technologist.
-Listen closely to the instructions the technologist gives your child. Ask how you can be of assistance.
-If you remain in the examination room with your child during a procedure, be sure to ask for special shielding to protect you from the radiation beam.
Shielding...who needs it!?
To reduce the amount of radiation exposure to your child, it is essential the Radiographer use shielding. Sheilding helps reduce the amount of radiation that the patient and technologist receive. Depending on the region to be X-rayed, lead shields may be used on your child to decrease radiation exposure to areas not being imaged. There are a variety of different types of shields available. The most common type is the lead apron. Aprons can cover the entire upper portion of the body, the lower part of the body, or just one part.
There are thyroid shields.
There are lead gloves.
It is important to remember that a lead apron is only effective when it is worn properly and used in a safe and regularly inspected environment. Do not hesitate to ask the technologist if you or your child do not feel adequately or properly shielded.
There are thyroid shields.
There are lead gloves.
It is important to remember that a lead apron is only effective when it is worn properly and used in a safe and regularly inspected environment. Do not hesitate to ask the technologist if you or your child do not feel adequately or properly shielded.
What should I expect...immobilization devices
During the imaging process it is essential that your child (or the patient)hold very still. Any motion can cause blurriness on the x-ray which in turn makes it more difficult for the doctor to diagnose and ultimately may lead to another x-ray and more radiation exposure.
You may encounter different immobilization devices to help in holding your child still. Do not be alarmed if a Radiographer may need to use one of these devices, at first they may look a little archaic but they serve a very important purpose.
-Pigg-O-Stat. Although this device looks funny, it is one of the best methods to help children remain in a still, upright position for chest x-ray exams. The child sits on a small, adjustable seat and two plastic supports fit snugly around his or her sides, keeping the arms raised. An adult may help hold the arms above the child's head.
-Velcro straps. Often, bands of Velcro are used not only to immobilize your child's body, but also to prevent him or her from rolling off the table. The straps are attached to the table or a board and drawn snugly over the body. Tape and bandages also may be used to keep a body part still.
Swaddling. Very young children may be wrapped tightly in a sheet to keep them from wiggling. Although some children don't like the feeling of being confined, the sheet provides warmth, and infants may fall asleep while swaddled.
-Sandbags. Long sandbags may be used to keep a child's arms or legs in one place. The weight of the sandbag keeps the body part still and reminds your child not to move.
-Holding techniques. Sometimes sponges are used to hold the child steady and avoid blocking the radiation beam. You may be asked to help hold your child, and the technologist will give you specific instructions on how best to do this. Remember, if you are ever asked to do this you should ALWAYS have lead shielding.
You may encounter different immobilization devices to help in holding your child still. Do not be alarmed if a Radiographer may need to use one of these devices, at first they may look a little archaic but they serve a very important purpose.
-Pigg-O-Stat. Although this device looks funny, it is one of the best methods to help children remain in a still, upright position for chest x-ray exams. The child sits on a small, adjustable seat and two plastic supports fit snugly around his or her sides, keeping the arms raised. An adult may help hold the arms above the child's head.
-Velcro straps. Often, bands of Velcro are used not only to immobilize your child's body, but also to prevent him or her from rolling off the table. The straps are attached to the table or a board and drawn snugly over the body. Tape and bandages also may be used to keep a body part still.
Swaddling. Very young children may be wrapped tightly in a sheet to keep them from wiggling. Although some children don't like the feeling of being confined, the sheet provides warmth, and infants may fall asleep while swaddled.
-Sandbags. Long sandbags may be used to keep a child's arms or legs in one place. The weight of the sandbag keeps the body part still and reminds your child not to move.
-Holding techniques. Sometimes sponges are used to hold the child steady and avoid blocking the radiation beam. You may be asked to help hold your child, and the technologist will give you specific instructions on how best to do this. Remember, if you are ever asked to do this you should ALWAYS have lead shielding.
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