Veterinary radiation safety procedure
SOP template
Check this template against your local regulations and your own policies before you use it.
| SOP no. | Version | Effective date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Approver | Review date |
Purpose
To keep radiation doses to staff as low as possible.
Scope
Every X-ray exposure at the clinic, by every staff member.
Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Vet or licensed operator | Operates the machine as their licence allows and logs each exposure. |
| Radiation safety officer | Manages licences, dosimeters, equipment checks and training. |
What you need
- Lead aprons, thyroid shields and gloves
- Personal dosimeters
- Positioning aids and sandbags
Procedure
Only licensed staff operate
Only staff licensed or authorised under your local rules may take X-rays.
Restrain without hands
Use sedation and positioning aids so no one needs to hold the patient.
Caution: If someone must hold a patient, they wear full protection and keep their hands out of the beam.
Wear protection and dosimeters
Everyone in the room wears a lead apron and thyroid shield, and their dosimeter under the apron.
Control the room
Close the door, turn on the warning light and keep everyone else out.
Log every exposure
Record the patient, the views and the settings in the X-ray log.
Check the equipment
Check aprons for cracks each year, and have the machine tested as your licence requires.
Records
- The X-ray log.
- Dosimeter reports, licences and equipment test reports.
Related documents
- Vet nurse induction checklist
Revision history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approved by |
|---|---|---|---|
