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Radiation safety and communication Care has been taken to confirm the accuracy of the information presented to describe generally accepted practices; however, the authors and publisher are not responsible for perceived or actual inaccuracies, omissions or interpretation of the contents of this presentation. THE SIM GUIDE

THE SIM GUIDE Learning Objectives be oriented to a radiation environment By the end of this presentation you will: be able to identify: • radiation beam on/off sign • x-ray radiation areas • radiation warning signs • sound of radiation being delivered in a treatment bunker

THE SIM GUIDE know when and how to communicate with By the end of this radiation therapists during delivery of patient presentation you treatment will: know how to maintain safe conduct in a radiation area and limit exposure to radiation able to identify key personal safety requirements when visiting and working in a radiation department

THE SIM GUIDE Radiation Therapy students only be able to identify anxious or aggravated patients By the end of this presentation you will: be able to identify strategies for dealing with these patients

THE SIM GUIDE Orientation Radiation Therapy department consists of: • CT/simulation • Planning room • Treatment area • Treatment console/control room area where the treatment machine is operated • Treatment room (bunker) room where radiation is administered to patient

THE SIM GUIDE Radiation Therapy environment Treatment console Linear accelerator in treatment bunker

THE SIM GUIDE Signs & symbols Radiation beam on/off warning symbols

THE SIM GUIDE Radiation warning signs and barrier to prevent entry warning signs barrier

THE SIM GUIDE

THE SIM GUIDE ‘Beam on’ sounds Sound when treatment machine is turned on Sound when treatment machine taking an image

THE SIM GUIDE Communication etiquette Do not enter the treatment bunker unless invited announce your presence before entering and wait for invitation Never enter treatment room or console area without radiation therapist’s or radiographer’s permission

THE SIM GUIDE Do not interrupt treatment staff during a patient’s treatment If matter is urgent discuss with non treating • staff member If staff busy with patient wait to be • acknowledged Be mindful of how your behaviour may impact on a patients treatment e.g. beam interruption, breach of patient privacy

THE SIM GUIDE Safe conduct Ensure you maintain a professional manner Partake in appropriate communication with radiation therapy staff Be mindful of your own personal safety ie. minimise potential exposure to radiation

THE SIM GUIDE Be mindful of the impact of disrupting/distracting a radiation workers concentration when performing a procedure / treatment Adhere to ALARA (see explanation on next slide)

THE SIM GUIDE Limiting staff exposure ALARA is an acronym for: As s Low ow As s Reason easonably bly Achievabl hievable This is a radiation safety principle for minimizing radiation doses and releases of radioactive materials by employing all reasonable methods. ALARA is not only a sound safety principle, but is a regulatory requirement for all radiation safety programs.

THE SIM GUIDE Applies to staff as much as the patients receiving the procedures/treatment http://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/radiation/forms/alara.pdf Do not stand unnecessarily near the: • CT/simulator door during a CT scan or • Treatment room door or entry of the MAZE while the radiation beam is switched ON.

THE SIM GUIDE Safety messages from ARPANSA ARPANSA Australian Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Agency Outline safe practices for when delivering radiation Radiation Protection Series – see PDFs

THE SIM GUIDE Clause 3.3.4e – Stipulates: Observation of radiation protocols they are there for YOUR R SAFE FETY

THE SIM GUIDE Personal safety requirements Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLDs) Aware of last person out procedures Importance of notifying radiation therapy staff when entering/leaving a room so as to not be left in room during beam on.

THE SIM GUIDE Documents available Radiation Protection in Radiotherapy document http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps14_3.pdf Radiation Protection in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps14_1.pdf Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps14_2.pdf

THE SIM GUIDE Recommendations for Limiting Exposure to Ionising Radiation and National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionising Radiation http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps1.pdf Local Health District / Specialty Health Network Radiation Safety Guidelines

THE SIM GUIDE References NC State University – Radiation Safety and ALARA http://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/radiation/forms/alara.pdf Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency – Radiation Protection in Radiotherapy Radiation Protection series No. 14.3 http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps14_3.pdf