O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 6 9
I
f you're concerned about the dangers faced
by staff who work with C-arms, you'll be
interested in AORN's recent update to its
Guideline for Radiation Safety, which offers
new ideas for protecting surgical personnel
from imaging's invisible dangers. Here are some of
New Thoughts on
Radiation Safety
z FAR ENOUGH
It's a good idea to
stay as far away
from the imaging
source as possi-
ble, but numer-
ous studies indi-
cate that exposure
levels are reduced
to safe levels at a
distance of 6 feet.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
A review of the literature
adds clarity to the big picture.
Byron L. Burlingame, MS, RN, CNOR | Denver, Colo.
the highlights.
1. There's no
need to leave
the room
The consequences of
radiation exposure may
not become apparent for
years, but if and when
that reckoning occurs, it
can be devastating. Most
recommendations and
standards regarding radi-
ation safety are rooted in
common sense. For
example, OR teams have
subscribed for years to
the concept of capturing
images with ALARA (as
low as reasonably
achievable) exposure.
The importance of
shielding both practition-
ers and patients with pro-
tective coverings is wide-
ly known. And you likely
know that personnel who
routinely work around C-
arms and other radiologi-
