Section 325.5348. Conditions of operation.

(1) Each individual present in a fluoroscopic room, except the patient, shall wear a protective apron  of at least 0.5 millimeter lead equivalence.

(2)    Only individuals whose presence is needed to conduct the examination, to conduct radiation protection surveys or undergoing specific training shall be permitted in the fluoroscopy room during x-ray exposures.

(3)    Personnel monitoring shall be performed in controlled areas for each individual occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation from diagnostic x- ray equipment. Personnel monitoring devices, such as film badge dosimeters or thermoluminescent dosimeters, shall be permanently assigned to  each

occupationally exposed individual. This monitoring shall  be  continuous  during employment as a radiation worker.

(4)    Personnel exposure records shall be kept on permanent available file at the facility where the exposure occurs.

(5)   Monitoring devices used to estimate whole body exposure shall normally be worn on the chest or abdomen. Monitoring or any other body part shall comply with rule 222. Since employees involved in fluoroscopic procedures are required to wear protective aprons and  may be subjected  to  non-uniform

radiation fields, a dosimeter assigned to monitor whole body exposure will not necessarily record the dose most representative of exposure to the lens of the eye. To monitor this critical area for which the exposure limit is the same as for whole body,  active  blood-forming organs,  or  gonads,  an auxiliary dosimeter shall be provided in accordance with rule 222.

(6)   Monitoring devices worn to estimate personnel occupational exposure shall not be worn by the individual when he is exposed as a patient for any medical or dental reason.

(7)    The fluoroscopist's eyes should be sufficiently dark-adapted for the visual task required before commencing conventional fluoroscopy. Under no circumstances shall he attempt to compensate for inadequate adaptation  by increasing exposure   factors  employed  or by prolonging the  fluoroscopic examination.

(8)   Special precautions, consistent with clinical needs, shall be taken to minimize exposure of the gonads of potentially procreative patients and exposure of the embryo or fetus in patients known to be or suspected of being pregnant. Gonadal shielding is advised whenever it will not  interfere with the conditions or objectives of the examination.

(9)   In cineradiography, special care shall be taken to limit patient exposure when, as is often the case, tube currents and potentials employed are higher than those normally used in fluoroscopy. The exposure rates  to   which  patients  are  normally  subjected   shall  be determined  quarterly and records of the surveys maintained.

(10)       A fluoroscopic x-ray system shall not be left unattended without locking the apparatus, room or building in some manner which will prevent use of the apparatus by unauthorized persons.

History: 1954 ACS 85, Eff. Dec. 3, 1975.