Re[2]: MONITORING UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER PERSONNEL

[sandy_perle@email.fpl.com]

     The point I was making below has to do with a situation when the staff 
     "doesn't always follow proper procedures." Yes, I always hear that 
     staff does, but we know that errors in judgment do happen. The machine 
     doesn't irradiate individuals in a shielded booth, if, they are always 
     in the proper position within the booth.
     
     As far as the comment regarding badging anyone who enters a hospital, 
     that was not my conclusion. I am talking about individuals 
     "performing" work in a known radiation area. That doesn't mean anyone 
     can't sue you, for they can. I would assume that you DO have control 
     badges posted around your x-ray facility and nuclear medicine areas? 
     If so, that also provides information, in waiting areas as well... 
     
     You in essence second my opinion, it IS an issue of risk. That was my 
     point. I did not mean to imply that HP should make this decision 
     alone. It, being a risk issue needs to be evaluated by a team made up 
     of hp, risk management and most likely, legal counsel. Them there will 
     be no finger pointing later on.
     
     My only suggestion is that it is better to have as much information as 
     available. It's a risk versus benefit. Each organization has to make 
     their own decision. My opinions only.
     
     
     Sandy Perle        
     Supervisor Health Physics
     Florida Power and Light Company
     Nuclear Division
     Juno Beach, FL
     
     (407) 694-4219 Office
     (407) 694-3706 Fax
     
     sandy_perle@email.fpl.com
     
     homepage: http://www.wp.com/54398/home.html
     
     DISCLAIMER: The comments and opinions are mine alone and do not        
                 necessarily reflect those of my employer
  
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________

>  6. You're also assuming that the x-ray machine is always working
>           way it is supposed to be. How often do you do maintenance on 
            the  unit, and how often is the timer checked, the collimation,
            the kvP checked, etc.

Read JCAHO requirements for these standards.  Can you explain how an 
x-ray machine might fail such that it is exposing individuals 
standing in the shielded control booth, yet at the same time produce 
acceptable radiographic images using the established technique factors?  
Should I also monitor the patient as well?  If the technologist 
might be overexposed in a shielded area several feet from the source when 
exposed to only scattered radiation, imagine the dose to the patient.


Kent Lambert
LAMBERT@hal.hahnemann.edu

All opinions are well reasoned and insightful.
Needless to say they are not the opinion of my
employer. - Paraphrased from Michael Feldman.