Radiation safety is a key topic for anyone in the medical imaging industry and patients might hear the term when they visit a radiology practice.

For patients who don’t fully understand why there is so much emphasis on it, we demystify the term with this short explanation.

What is radiation safety?

X-ray and its different applications (CT, mammography, fluoroscopy, and bone densitometry) emit radiation that needs to be carefully monitored and controlled in order not to be harmful. Radiation safety is vital for all patients, but especially for pregnant women, children, families of patients, and healthcare workers.

Understanding the safety protocols, the reasons behind them, and the steps taken to minimise risk, can help alleviate concerns and ensure that radiation is used effectively and safely.

When is radiation safety important to uphold?

Humans are constantly exposed to background radiation. Higher doses of radiation are used in various degrees in radiology in order to obtain the images:

• General radiography: These include X-rays which are the most common procedure involving radiation. X-rays are used to create images of bones, teeth, the chest, and other parts of the body.
• Fluoroscopy: This technique uses X-rays to create real-time moving images of the interior of the body, often used during surgical procedures or to guide catheter insertions.
• Computed Tomography (CT): CT scans use X-rays to take detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It provides more detailed information than standard X-rays and is often used to diagnose conditions like tumours, internal bleeding, and complex fractures.
• Mammograms: Mammography uses low-dose radiation specifically for the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases, primarily breast cancer.
• Nuclear Medicine: This involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to diagnose and treat diseases. An example of this is the PET scan which aids in the diagnosis of cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders.

How is radiation safety ensured?

Although radiographic imaging involves exposure to ionising radiation, the doses are generally low and healthcare providers make careful decisions about benefits outweighing risk. This is why ALARA is a key principle in radiology. It stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” and is aimed at minimising radiation doses, while achieving the required image quality. Radiologists not only subscribe to this principle but are also checked for compliance by regulatory authorities.

What to remember

1. Pregnancy: Tell the healthcare provider if you think you may be pregnant or are pregnant before having imaging using any form of radiation or treatment. Your foetus is very sensitive to radiation, especially during the first trimester. If X-rays or CT scans are necessary, proper shielding (usually a lead apron) will be used to protect your abdomen.
2. While you get scanned, your partner or family member will need to wait outside the room. Healthcare facilities follow strict radiation safety regulations to protect patients, their families, and staff.

What to expect

Apart from some exceptions around screening examinations, such as mammography and bone densitometry, your referring doctor or specialist will always give you a letter to present at the radiology practice.

This is in part to ensure that you get the right imaging for the suspected pathology but also to ensure that patients are only exposed to radiation when a qualified doctor deems it absolutely necessary.

This article is part of a series aimed at decoding medical jargon in radiology. Visit our news section for more.