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.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
What is an X-ray?
For Children:
"An X-ray is a picture of the inside of the body made with special rays. An X-ray can show bones, tissues or parts of organs. X-ray pictures do not hurt." Children's Health care of America. You can not see or feel x-rays. Often multiple x-rays will be taken from different angles, depending on the injury.
For Parents:
"An actual x-ray is a form of energy. Depending on the energy level of an x-ray, it can either penetrate through the body, or is absorbed. The body and its tissues have many different densities, which will affect how an image appears. Areas such as bone are not easily penetrated; therefore, they appear white on an image. Areas such as the lungs, which are mainly air, are penetrated very easily; therefore, they appear black or grayish on an image. You cannot feel an x-ray as it goes through the body." Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Saturday, January 30, 2010
What should I expect...another view of the Radiology Deparement.
Here is a video of the Claremont Imaging Center in Claremont, Florida. You can visualize what an exam room looks like and be better prepared for what you will be seeing.
What should I expect .... when I get to the hospital/procedure?
When you arrive at the hospital or the clinic for you procedure you will check in with the front desk.
Depending on what procedure you are having done, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown.
These may be uncomfortable and cold but it will help your doctor get a better picture so they can tell what is wrong with you. The technologist will then lead you back into the room where you will have your procedure. The room may be dark or the lights dimmed, that is so the technologist can see the light on the x-ray machine to get an accurate "picture".
You will be asked to sit or lay on the table. The table is hard and cold so if you don't have one, you can ask for a blanket and pillow! There is a lot of equipment in these rooms, you may feel like you are in a scary movie. Feel free to ask questions and find out what the equipment does. The technologist should explain everything that will be going on so there are no surprises!
Each procedure is different so I will go into specifics on various procedures in another post.
Depending on what procedure you are having done, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown.
These may be uncomfortable and cold but it will help your doctor get a better picture so they can tell what is wrong with you. The technologist will then lead you back into the room where you will have your procedure. The room may be dark or the lights dimmed, that is so the technologist can see the light on the x-ray machine to get an accurate "picture".
You will be asked to sit or lay on the table. The table is hard and cold so if you don't have one, you can ask for a blanket and pillow! There is a lot of equipment in these rooms, you may feel like you are in a scary movie. Feel free to ask questions and find out what the equipment does. The technologist should explain everything that will be going on so there are no surprises!
Each procedure is different so I will go into specifics on various procedures in another post.
Who will be doing the procedure?
A radiologic technologist or radiographer will be doing or assisting with the x-ray or procedure. According to Wikipedia, a Radiographer is a medical professional who applies doses of ionizing radiation or radioactive materials to patients in order to reduce or eradicate tumors and cancer cells and create medical images of the human anatomy to aid radiologists and other doctors diagnose and treat illness and injury. They work in hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, nursing homes, and in private practice.
Equipment
Depending on the imaging procedure that you will be having done you can encounter a variety of x-ray equipment. The most common is the general purpose x-ray.
The table can be moved both up and down; many tables have "floating" table tops meaning the top of the table can be moved in any horizontal direction. There is also a "chest bucky", the vertical x-ray receptor used for chest x-rays or other vertical x-rays.
Some procedures may require more than one or two x-rays such as studies of the gastrointestinal tract or placement of PICC lines, therefore, doctors will often use flouroscopy. According to Wikipedia, "Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique commonly used by physicians to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of a patient through the use of a fluoroscope. In its simplest form, a fluoroscope consists of an x-ray source and fluorescent screen between which a patient is placed. However, modern fluoroscopes couple the screen to an x-ray image intensifier and CCD video camera allowing the images to be recorded and played on a monitor."
During surgery it may be necessary for the doctor to see a live image of what they are doing or where they are working inside a patient, this is possible with a c-arm (much like fluoroscopy but mobile).
With a c-arm doctors are able to use a constant stream of x-rays to see live x-ray images.
The table can be moved both up and down; many tables have "floating" table tops meaning the top of the table can be moved in any horizontal direction. There is also a "chest bucky", the vertical x-ray receptor used for chest x-rays or other vertical x-rays.
Some procedures may require more than one or two x-rays such as studies of the gastrointestinal tract or placement of PICC lines, therefore, doctors will often use flouroscopy. According to Wikipedia, "Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique commonly used by physicians to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of a patient through the use of a fluoroscope. In its simplest form, a fluoroscope consists of an x-ray source and fluorescent screen between which a patient is placed. However, modern fluoroscopes couple the screen to an x-ray image intensifier and CCD video camera allowing the images to be recorded and played on a monitor."
During surgery it may be necessary for the doctor to see a live image of what they are doing or where they are working inside a patient, this is possible with a c-arm (much like fluoroscopy but mobile).
With a c-arm doctors are able to use a constant stream of x-rays to see live x-ray images.
What is Radiation?
Radiation is fairly complex, with out getting you too confused I will try and give you a "brief" description. The Health Physics Society does a great job of giving an overview of what radiation is and the different types.
What Is Radiation?
Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space and may be able to penetrate various materials. Light, radio, and microwaves are types of radiation that are called nonionizing. The kind of radiation discussed in this document is called ionizing radiation because it can produce charged particles (ions) in matter.
Ionizing radiation is produced by unstable atoms. Unstable atoms differ from stable atoms because unstable atoms have an excess of energy or mass or both. Radiation can also be produced by high-voltage devices (e.g., x-ray machines).
Atoms with unstable nuclei are said to be radioactive. In order to reach stability, these atoms give off, or emit, the excess energy or mass. These emissions are called radiation. The kinds of radiation are electromagnetic (like light) and particulate (i.e., mass given off with the energy of motion). Gamma radiation and x rays are examples of electromagnetic radiation. Gamma radiation originates in the nucleus while x rays come from the electronic part of the atom. Beta and alpha radiation are examples of particulate radiation.
Interestingly, there is a "background" of natural radiation everywhere in our environment. It comes from space (i.e., cosmic rays) and from naturally occurring radioactive materials contained in the earth and in living things.
Radiation Exposure from Various Sources
Source Exposure
External Background Radiation 60 mrem/yr, U.S. Average
Natural K-40 and Other Radioactivity in Body 40 mrem/yr
Air Travel Round Trip (NY-LA) 5 mrem
Chest X-Ray Effective Dose 10 mrem per film
Radon in the Home 200 mrem/yr (variable)
Man-Made (medical x rays, etc.) 60 mrem/yr (average)
What Is Radiation?
Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space and may be able to penetrate various materials. Light, radio, and microwaves are types of radiation that are called nonionizing. The kind of radiation discussed in this document is called ionizing radiation because it can produce charged particles (ions) in matter.
Ionizing radiation is produced by unstable atoms. Unstable atoms differ from stable atoms because unstable atoms have an excess of energy or mass or both. Radiation can also be produced by high-voltage devices (e.g., x-ray machines).
Atoms with unstable nuclei are said to be radioactive. In order to reach stability, these atoms give off, or emit, the excess energy or mass. These emissions are called radiation. The kinds of radiation are electromagnetic (like light) and particulate (i.e., mass given off with the energy of motion). Gamma radiation and x rays are examples of electromagnetic radiation. Gamma radiation originates in the nucleus while x rays come from the electronic part of the atom. Beta and alpha radiation are examples of particulate radiation.
Interestingly, there is a "background" of natural radiation everywhere in our environment. It comes from space (i.e., cosmic rays) and from naturally occurring radioactive materials contained in the earth and in living things.
Radiation Exposure from Various Sources
Source Exposure
External Background Radiation 60 mrem/yr, U.S. Average
Natural K-40 and Other Radioactivity in Body 40 mrem/yr
Air Travel Round Trip (NY-LA) 5 mrem
Chest X-Ray Effective Dose 10 mrem per film
Radon in the Home 200 mrem/yr (variable)
Man-Made (medical x rays, etc.) 60 mrem/yr (average)
Goal: I am currently a Freshman student in the College of Southern Idaho Radiologic Technology program. My goal is to address radiographic procedures and radiation protection in relation to Pediatrics. I hope to educate parents and children alike and by doing so alleviate some fear of the unknown. If you have specific questions please feel free to comment or e-mail me at heatherhodges@eaglemail.csi.edu. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)