Re: opinion re training for rad workers

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>]

Among many good comments, Aggie mentioned the following:

>   In an ideal world, xray techs would be able to answer all patients 
> questions.  Patients have questions about risks of contrast media injections 
> during IVPs and other questions.  Sometimes the answers are best left to 
> others;sometimes the tech. has the exact answer right there.

The simple solution would be, when the answer is not known, a 
simple, sorry, I don't know the answer to that question, but I will 
be happy and try to find out an answer for you and get it to you as 
soon as possible. The only flaw here would be if the individual 
"thinks" they know the answer. Then whatever they think will be 
given, right or wrong.

> I don't think this issue is limited to xray techs.  You can train 
> any radioactive material user about annual dose limits.  You can 
> also then do annual retraining.  However, send out annual exposure 
> history summaries and you are going to get questions.  No one cares 
> about radiation safety regulations and guidelines like a health 
> physicist. No one lives and breaths it like we do.  That is why we 
> are here.

I disagree a little with this hypothesis. I believe that any 
"radiation worker" needs to be aware of dose limits, and that when 
they do receive a dose, they should know whether or not it is a 
"serious", "significant" or "life-threatening dose" ..  I also 
believe that they should be familiar with the type of dosimeter that 
they are wearing, what it can measure and what it can not and any 
other limitations that it contains. Grabted, there might be an HP 
available, but that isn't always the case. A trained, certified RT 
should have this basic knowledge.

In the power reactor world, especially in the craft area, the level 
of education is oftn not as extensive as with the RT. However, they 
are all trained, they are all tested and they all receive annual 
requalification training. And more importantly, they understand the 
regulatory limits and  what a dose means, be it DDE, SDE or LDE 
(which they do see) .. and often at levels above what the RT sees. 
The key is how much training does the individual receive, who does 
the training and how often.

I like Joe Nick's request that maybe local HP Chapters can provide 
some assistance in providing some basic health physics training. I 
hope that idea is acted upon. I know the HPS sponsors this kind of 
information to educational facilities .. why not medical facilities?


------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3149
  
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