Standard Operating Procedure For X-Ray Examinations
Standard Operating Procedure For X-Ray Examinations
X-RAY EXAMINATIONS
WODONGA CAMPUS
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR X-RAY EXAMINATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOSE REDUCTION:............................................................................................................................. 20
PROCEDURE FOR THE PROVISION OF X-RAY IMAGING PROTOCOLS AND STANDARD
ALARA:
As Low As Reasonably Achievable:
Radiation must be kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). The principle that radiation
exposures must be reduced to the lowest level that can reasonably be achieved.
CPD:
Continuous Professional Development.
DI:
Dose Index:
EXI:
Exposure Index:
Reference tool that can be used to ensure that the exposure settings being applied are within an
appropriate range.
LMP:
Last Menstrual Period.
By convention, pregnancies are dated in weeks starting from the first day of a woman's last menstrual
period (LMP). If her menstrual periods are regular and ovulation occurs on day 14 of her cycle,
conception takes place about 2 weeks after her LMP.
Operator:
Radiology technicians, technologists, and sonographers fall within the broad scope of a radiography
profession. Using radiation in the form of x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound,
radiographers assess, diagnose and treat patients for a variety of injuries and diseases, Often part of
a medical or surgical team, radiographers are typically involved in initial patient evaluation and testing,
providing diagnostic and evidentiary data for Physicians.
PACS:
Picture Archiving and Communications System:
A network of computers used by radiology departments that replaces film with electronically stored
and displayed digital images. It provides archives for storage of multimodality images, integrates
images with patient database information, facilitates laser printing of images, and displays both
images and patient information at work stations throughout the network. It also allows viewing of
images in remote locations.
RIS:
Radiology Information System.
A RIS is a computerised database used by radiology departments to store, manipulate, and distribute
patient radiological data and imagery. The system generally consists of patient tracking and
scheduling,
result reporting and image tracking capabilities. RIS complements Hospital Information Systems
(HIS), and is critical to efficient workflow to radiology practices.
Radiation (Ionising):
Radiation that produces ionisation in matter. Examples are alpha, beta, gamma and x-radiation and
neutrons. When these radiations pass through the tissues of the body, they have sufficient energy to
damage DNA.
RSO:
Radiation Safety Officer
The appointed person to advise AWH Management and Executive on all matters relating to radiation
safety with the Organisation. In this case the RSO is the Practice Manager.
INTRODUCTION:
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are succinct formal documents designed to achieve
consistency by specifying standard practice in performing those functions.
AIM:
This document covers all practical issues required to comply with Code of Practice for Radiation
Protection in Medical Applications of Ionizing Radiation 2008.
This SOP will be followed by all staff involved in the use of x-ray equipment. All members of staff who
use radiation, or are in any way involved with its use, shall do so only in accordance with State
Registrations. Staff who work with radiation shall exercise reasonable care, use any protective
equipment provided, report any defect in such equipment, wear any radiation monitors provided and
undertake any training deemed necessary.
PURPOSE:
To ensure the correct identification of patients prior to exposure.
SCOPE:
All X-ray examinations.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The operator initiating the exposure is responsible for ensuring the final check of patient identity has
been made before proceeding. The operator checking patient identity will adhere to this procedure.
PROCEDURE:
· The operator must undertake a positive patient identification (PPI) check and therefore they must
ask the patient to state their name, address and date of birth. These details must be checked
against the request form and if there are any discrepancies these must be investigated before
undertaking the examination. (Refer to Annex 1)
· If the operator is satisfied that they have the correct patient they will sign the ‘Time Out’ stamp on
the referral. This will be scanned into the patient’s records on Radiology Information System
(RIS) for reference.
· For patients unable to communicate through illness, physical or mental disability or language
barrier, check identification bracelets or ask an escorting relative, carer or interpreter. A positive
identification must be given.
· If there is no escort or identification bracelet on a patient, who is unable to give their details,
contact the referring department and ask for someone who can identify that patient, such as a
nurse or relative, to visit and identify the patient. The person who checks the patient identity will
sign the request form in the “time out” stamp.
· A history of any previous relevant X-ray investigations should, whenever possible, be taken from
the patient prior to carrying out the new procedure to correlate the clinical detail provided on the
radiology request form to that patient The RIS and Picture Archive and Communication System
PACS should be checked in every patient contact to ensure up to date records and any previous
radiology or information.
Examination undertaken
subject to justification Examination not
performed
PURPOSE:
To prevent unnecessary irradiation of a foetus from a medical exposure by ensuring enquiries with
regard to pregnancy are made in an appropriate and consistent manner.
SCOPE:
All women of childbearing age who are to undergo X-ray examinations.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The operator initiating the exposure is responsible for ensuring the final check of pregnancy has
been made before proceeding. The operator checking pregnancy will adhere to this procedure.
(Refer to Annex 2)
PROCEDURE:
The operator will require the outpatients to complete and sign the Pregnancy Questionnaire that will
include questions on pregnancy and LMP (Refer to Outpatient Pregnancy Questionnaire (Females
Aged 12 - 55 Years) Radiation Form). For inpatients, the requesting doctor will complete a
pregnancy information section as part of the Request Form If the patient states that she is NOT
pregnant following choosing one of the reasons in the table below then proceed with the exposure.
The patient should sign the Pregnancy Questionnaire and this needs to be scanned into the patient’s
file on the RIS.
Do you meet one of the following criteria? It is not necessary to say which one:
· Not sexually active
· Tubal Ligation
· Hysterectomy
· Post-Menopausal
· Partner has had a vasectomy
· Negative Pregnancy Test (BHCG)
· Currently Menstruating
· Mirena / Implanon
· If the patient states that she IS pregnant and the area to be examined includes the pelvis:
Consult with the Radiologist to check if the procedure may be safely deferred. The Radiologist
may contact the referrer directly or delegate the task to the operator.
If the procedure cannot be deferred justification can only be approved by the Medical Radiation
Practitioner. If the outcome of the decision is that the procedure is justified and must proceed due
to its nature, then Radiation in Pregnancy consent form (Refer to Radiation in Pregnancy Consent
Form) should be administered by the Medical Radiation Practitioner. Risks vs benefits should
be concisely explained to the pregnant patient.
· For patients unable to communicate through illness, physical or mental disability or language
barrier, all questions relating to pregnancy will be addressed to an escorting relative, carer or
interpreter.
Pregnancy status
questionnaire.
Is the patient pregnant?
No Unsure Yes
(Criteria satisfied)
Area of
examination
Urgent
> 10 days from LMP Follow 10 Day Rule
PURPOSE:
The aim of this procedure is to ensure continuity of patient care and safety.
SCOPE:
Inter-departmental patient transportation.
RESPONSIBILITY:
All staff
PROCEDURE:
· Ensure that clinical handover is performed in accordance with AWH Clinical Handover Policy.
(Refer AWH Clinical Handover Policy)
http://wrhsshpt/PP_Pdf/Policies_and_Procedures/Policies/Clinical%20Handover%20Policy.pdf
· Ensure adherence to the ISBAR chart. (Refer Annex 3)
· Any incidents relating to clinical handover are reported in the Incident Management System.
PURPOSE:
The Department of Health Victoria requires every medical exposure to be justified and authorised in
advance, in accordance with clause 3.3.3 of the Code. This procedure states how that justification
takes place and how the operators conducting a medical exposure are made aware of the fact that
justification has occurred. Justification of X-ray examinations is a wide and varied entity. To provide
justification criteria for all examinations is unrealistic.
SCOPE:
All X-ray examinations.
RESPONSIBILITY:
It is the responsibility of the Medical Radiation Practitioner to authorise each exposure (generically)
only if it is justified. It is the responsibility of the operator to effect a medical exposure only once
authorisation has been obtained.
PROCEDURE:
· Medical Radiation Practitioners are entitled provide generic justification for X-ray examinations.
When justifying a medical exposure, consideration should be given to the following points:
- The objectives of the exposure.
- The direct health benefit to the individual.
- The individual detriment the exposure may cause.
- The benefits and risks of alternative techniques which may meet the objectives with less or
no detriment.
- The Operator may consider the examination to be generically justified provided that:
- There is generic justification according to the protocol (Refer to document Generic
Justification of x-ray examinations) AND
- There is clinical question
- The clinical question can be answered by the examination
If sufficient clinical information is not made available by the referrer the Radiology Request Form will
be returned in the cases of non-urgent referrals. In the case of urgent referrals the Medical Radiation
Practitioner will arrange for the referrer to be contacted to obtain the relevant information. The
Practitioner will arrange for the non-urgent Radiology Request Forms to be returned with a tick chart
(Refer to Incomplete Imaging Request Return Form) identifying additional information required
attached.
· The examination must not proceed until the operator has either (Refer to Annex 4):
- Determined that the examination is generically justified OR
- Had the examination justified individually and set a specific protocol by the Medical
Radiation Practitioner.
- In both cases there must be documented evidence ie signature of the individual who
has deemed the examination justified. This is then to be scanned into the patient’s file
on the RIS
· The Operator is entitled to refer the process to justification on an individual basis by the
Radiation Medical Practitioner at any time.
Medical Practitioner
PREGNANT PATIENTS
REQUIRE JUSTIFICATION
THE RADIATION MEDICAL
PRACTITIONER WHERE
Referral received from THE PRIMARY BEAM WILL
Medical Practitioner IRRADIATE THE FOETUS
DIRECTLY
Examination Proceeds
Justification documented in patient’s file on RIS
PURPOSE:
The Department of Health Victoria requires every medical exposure to be justified and authorised in
advance, in accordance with clause 3.3.3 of the Code. This procedure states the process for review of
generic justification protocols.
SCOPE:
All generic justification protocols for X-ray examinations
RESPONSIBILITY:
It is the responsibility of the Medical Radiation Practitioner in conjunction with the Chief Radiographer to
ensure that all generic justification protocols are reviewed regularly.
PROCEDURE:
· The generic justification protocols should be reviewed by the Radiation Medical Practitioner every 12
months.
· The generic justification protocols should be reviewed on the installation of new software or
equipment.
· The generic justification protocols should be reviewed by request of the Radiation Medical Practitioner
at all other times.
PURPOSE:
To detail how patient dose indicators are recorded for each medical exposure.
SCOPE:
Covers all X-ray examinations.
RESPONSIBILITY:
It is the responsibility of the operator who initiates the exposure to ensure that the appropriate patient dose
indicator is recorded.
PROCEDURE:
· The X-ray equipment will automatically document dose related information on the patient’s images
which are stored and available of PACS.
PURPOSE:
To perform review of EXI and DI trends and to take corrective action if discrepancies are discovered.
SCOPE:
Observation of X-ray examination DI and EXI statistics. Discrepancies may indicate equipment fault or the
need to adjust protocols.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The X-ray Team Leader will investigate excessive doses and implement corrective action. The X-ray Team
Leader may delegate this role as appropriate.
PROCEDURE:
· At least every six months the X-ray team Leader will perform a patient dose audit and provide a
report.
· The X-RAY Team Leader will review the results to establish where discrepancies exist.
· The X-RAY Team Leader will investigate excessive doses and implement corrective action.
PURPOSE:
To identify the procedure for the provision of reject analysis for the purpose of quality assurance.
SCOPE:
The X-ray Team Leader is responsible for analysis of all reject x-ray images.
PROCEDURE:
· The reason for image rejection is to be recorded and classified.
· Data is recorded and reject analysis is to be performed every 3 months.
· A report of the reject analysis is to be reported to the RSO.
· Any trends are to be investigated and addressed.
PURPOSE:
To ensure that all accidental and unintended exposures to patients or participants are properly investigated
and recorded.
To ensure that reportable incidents are reported to the appropriate authority.
SCOPE:
Covers all X-ray examinations.
PROCEDURE:
Any member of staff who suspects that an accidental, unnecessary or unintended exposure has occurred
will, as soon as possible, record relevant information and report full details of the incident to the RSO and
record the incident on VHIMS. The RSO will arrange for an investigation to be carried out immediately as
per the Radiation Management Plan. (Refer to Radiation Management Plan)
· Patients who undergo a procedure that was not intended, as a result of mistaken identification or other
procedural failure, and consequently have been exposed to an ionising radiation dose, must be
considered as having received an unintended dose of radiation.
· If the person reporting the incident has reason to believe it was caused by a radiation equipment fault,
that person will advise other staff not to use the suspect equipment until it has been checked. The
RSO will arrange for an assessment of the equipment to be made and will not allow it to be used for
medical exposures until it is demonstrated that its performance is reliable and within recommended
QA standards.
PROCEDURE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL OPERATORS UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLES OF DOSE
REDUCTION:
PURPOSE:
This is to ensure Radiation Dose should be managed and minimized following As Low As Reasonably
Achievable (ALARA) principle.
SCOPE:
All staff using the X-ray Equipment should follow to procedure to reduced radiation exposure.
PROCEDURE:
· Departmental staff meetings, during which radiation protection information is disseminated, are held
regularly and minuted. These meetings include Practice Manager Meetings, Directorate Meetings and
general staff meetings.
· The identity of the patient is checked prior to any radiation exposure.
· All equipment is subject to regular preventative maintenance and independent radiation safety and
performance assessment.
· X-ray equipment faults are logged and reported to the Chief Radiographer / RSO.
· All staff receive appropriate in-house training on the operation of equipment.
· All untoward incidents are reported to the RSO and logged on VHIMS.
· All radiation incidents are reported and investigated.
· The cause of radiation incidents are reviewed and appropriate action taken to minimise the risk of
recurrence.
· Care is taken at all times whilst examining patients to select the most appropriate examination settings
and operate it in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and operate in accordance with
manufacturer’s guidelines.
PURPOSE:
To identify the procedure for the provision of imaging protocols (standard image sequences) and the
setting of standard exposure factors.
SCOPE:
All X-ray examinations.
PROCEDURE:
· Standard imaging protocols are agreed by the Medical Radiation Practitioner and the Chief
Radiographer. No alterations can be made to these protocols without consent of the Medical
Radiation Practitioner.
Standard exposure factors for each type of X-ray examination are stored within the X-ray equipment’s
anatomical programme lists and documented with Justification Positioning and Exposure Protocols for
X-Ray Examinations Procedure.
· Any adjustment to the programmed exposure factors must be authorised by the X-ray Team Leader.
· Only AHPRA registered staff trained to operate the X-ray Equipment are permitted to do so.
· Do not enter the X-ray room if the x-ray warning light is illuminated.
· All exposure parameters are to be checked prior to performing the X-ray examination.
· PPE must be worn by any individual (other than the patient) who is present in the Xray room,
unless protected by the lead lined screen.
Annexes:
Accreditation Standards:
References:
In consultation with:
TITLE / POSITION
THIS SECTION FOR QUALITY & CLINICAL GOVERNANCE OFFICE USE ONLY
Approved by Executive / Delegate: Date Approved: SharePoint Location:
Executive Director of Medical Services 3 November 2015 Other…
and Clinical Governance
Responsible Department: Date for Review: Linked Documents:
Medical Imaging 3 November 2018
Version No: Original Approval Date: Previously Named As:
1 3 November 2015