Radiography examinations have been increasing steadily for decades, and there is no safe level of radiation exposure. In the United States, approximately 400 million radiology procedures are performed each year, and the number continues to rise annually. In the past 4 decades, radiation dose has increased by almost 6 times and almost 90% of that radiation dose comes from a medical imaging source. However, most of the radiation exposure that comes from medical imaging can be attenuated and monitored to reduce effects to the radiographer and patient. Therefore, radiographers should act as gatekeepers, reducing or eliminating unwarranted radiation exposure to patients and other members of the health care team. Understanding the underpinnings of radiation protection, such as x-ray characteristics, lead shields, beta particles, gamma rays, and the inverse square law, can reduce dose during radiography examinations and improve radiography skill sets.
展开▼
