Philips Practix 360 Mobile X-ray System - Essay Example

? INSTRUMANTATION (MOBILE X-RAY MACHINE) KONINKLIJKE PHILLIPS NEW MODEL Philips Practix 360 Mobile X-ray system Introduction X-ray imaging has been a revolutionary technique within the medical and healthcare sectors in the entire universe. This imaging technology is a transmission dependent technique whereby X-rays emanating from a source pass through the patient and are sensed by either an ionization chamber or a film. In most cases, the detectors are placed in the opposite direction with respect to the patient’s body. Image contrast or disparity in various tissues of the body arises as result of differences in the attenuation of the X-rays in the body. For instance, attenuation of the X-rays is effective within the bone tissues but show lower efficiency in softer body tissues. Being electromagnetic waves, X-rays have a major disadvantage because the ionization energies generated in the procedure may lead to tissue damage. In fact, there are cases of reported cancer and tumor cell growth within the body as a result of mutation caused in the bodies of the patients. Therefore, there is the need to ensure minimal exposure time to X-rays. As such, there have been guidelines on the subjection of total radiation dosage or exposure to patients on annual basis. Radiation exposure has continued to be of public interest and concern in particular with regard to pediatric and obstetric radiology (Ray 1999, 167). Various equipments have been developed for the purposes of radiology in healthcare institutions. One such equipment is the Philips Practix 360 Mobile X-ray system. A copyright product of Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V, this equipment has several specifications of importance. It is a mobile X-ray unit with an X-ray tube arm and measures 880mm by 766mm by 2384mm while in operation. This mobile X-ray unit weighs 175 kilograms and possesses a cassette storage that can allow up to 4 or 5 radiation protection. The equipment has a microprocessor controlled X-ray converter generator and requires a nominal power voltage of between 16 to 30 kilowatts. The tube voltage of the X-ray equipment is between 40 kilovolts and 125 kilovolts occurring at a stepwise flow if 1 kilovolt while the maximum tube current is 200 mill amperes. The mains supply of Philips Practix 360 is 230 volts of power an equivalent of 50 Hertz. The initiation process of the machine requires minimal time of 0.8 seconds and each exposure time should be at least one minute and 2 seconds (Sullivan and Krieger 2004, 164). Exposure of ionization radiation to either the patients or radiologists can have detrimental effects on the well-being of these individuals. It has proven scientifically, that ionization radiation is capable of producing biological effects of mutation. This over exposure marks the beginning of a lifelong problem that can be inherent among the affected individuals’ offsprings. The major problem thus associated with exposure to such radiation is genetic predisposition. It has been postulated that no matter the quantity of radiation, the impact on a person’s health can be severe. Therefore, there is the need and necessity for a safety operation guideline in order to prevent over exposure periods or unwanted radiation exposures. It is also imperative to control the levels of ionization radiation whenever necessary. As such, medical and healthcare institutions must undertake the first step in achieving the objectives set above. These institutions must be in the forefront in the formulation and strict adherence to the safety guidelines and regulatory policies on X-ray imaging and diagnostics. Safe Operation Details On the basis of International Commission on Radiological Protection recommendations, the institutions must support the following principles. First and foremost, there must be a justification for the radiological procedure. This clearly states that no practice associated with exposure to ionization energy must be adopted not unless its outcome is of sufficient benefit to offset the impact of the radiation. The second principle concerns the optimization procedure whereby all radiation exposures must be kept as minimal as possible. Thirdly and lastly, the radiation exposure to patients must be subject to dosage limits. Alternatively, this limitation principle should put into consideration control mechanisms that no person is exposed to unacceptable radiation risks. In cases of therapeutic intervention, the procedure must be lay emphasis on careful and appropriate planning prior to ionizing radiation (Turner, Kloos, and Morton 2002, 117). In this particular X-ray imaging equipment for patient diagnosis and therapeutic interventions, several operating requirements are paramount. Normal operating as well as emergency undertakings must be well written and easily accessible to all the X-ray equipment handlers. There should be not even an individual who is allowed to handle and operate the equipment in a manner other than the specified operating protocols and procedures. Additionally, bypassing remains a critical issue in the safety guideline of Philips Practix 360. This simply implies that a security lock can only be bypassed upon a written approval from the Radiation safety officer. The endorsement can only be adhered to for a specified period of time and once approved, a sign should be placed on the equipment stating its status as disabled. As part of the operating guidelines with regard to safety, repairs or any other modifications can only occur upon notification to the radiation safety officer. The main power of this equipment should be turned off prior to any adjustments or changes either in the tube arm or the X-ray imaging equipment. Personnel requirements in the handling and operation of the Philips Practix 360 X-ray imaging equipment is of equal significance. Three different modes of training are important and include initial X-ray radiation safety training which is comprised of protection against radiation modules. There is also the X-ray instrument specific training that is conducted by the manufacturers and in this case Philips. This module takes into consideration the specific operating protocol and emergency procedures. Lastly, there has to be training on X-ray safety conducted annually as a refresher course. This is usually conducted in the healthcare institutions and presented by radiation safety officers. Termed as continuing education and training, this module seeks to support the exposures on the medical field as a general safety training, hence staff development. Personnel monitoring forms an essential aspect of personnel requirement hence it is vital for the radiologists to wear whole body badge. Additionally, the operators must wear ring dosimeters during the X-ray imaging procedures. These dosimeters must be exchanged after every four months. As part of protection measures, there has to be a strong commitment that puts into consideration personnel and patient safety upon ionizing radiation exposure. This forms a critical component in control of public and occupational exposures. One aspect of this component is ensuring that no radiological diagnosis is performed unless the outcome to the patient is fully examined to warrant the exposure. During the X-ray imaging process, all persons must leave the irradiation room unless there is essentiality of expertise or personnel. The entrance to irradiation rooms must be kept closed while a patient is undergoing x-ray assessment. It is of personal safety and a guideline that the radiologist must keep some distance from the x-ray beam of ionizing radiation. Furthermore, it is of worthwhile importance for personnel to take full precaution and take total advantage of available protective wear as well as devices. Assistance to either weak individuals or young children is allowed only if the escorters are provided with protective gadgets such as gloves and aprons. A vital component in protective measure requirement is the need to wear a dosimeter during the x-ray procedure. This is put in place if the operators are likely to receive radiation dose of more than one-twentieth in comparison to the limit dose. For efficient utilization of this equipment, healthcare institutions must portray excellent management policies in terms o structural organization. The management is solely responsible for safe work ethics with regard to radiation safety standards. It is the responsibility of the management to ensure all qualified operators of the equipment are adequately qualified to operate the machine. This requirement must be certified by a recognized body as dictated by territorial regulations. The management has a purpose of making sure that the machine and its accessory parts are in good working conditions. It is also obligatory for the management to ensure that the machine is being utilized properly. As a governing body, the management should be in the forefront in formulating and implementation of safety guidelines for all the operators to adhere to. The management has a central role in supervision and close monitoring of the inexperienced operators (Smith and Webb 2010, 215). Safeguarding electromechanical safety of this x-ray imaging equipment is paramount for its continual efficiency. This aspect of safety guidelines forms part of a larger component entailed in the design safety requirement. In the control panel of Philips, a label showing x-ray warning and symbol is clearly indicated. On the external area of the same machine, especially on closures exists an access panel with x-ray warning symbol providing caution against the x-rays. The meters, control buttons and panel possess lights as well as other indicators that are visible and functioning. Additionally, the equipment has safe lights which indicate when the x-ray tube is gaining energy and when x-rays production occurs. There are warning lights that are indicative of open or closed status of the aperture shutters. The x-ray imaging equipment has a beam limiting gadget that aligns the x-ray beam with the detector device. Regulation and adjustment of the x-ray tube is achievable through a well-built control panel (Center for Chemical Process Safety 2011, 134). The protective attire and safeguards inclusive of the radiation inspection meters must be tested regularly. This quality assurance strategy ensures the proper functioning and non-defectiveness. There should be proper keeping of documents that indicate the machine has been serviced. Pre-operational safety measures must be undertaken before the installation of the x-ray machine and other accessory components. These safety measures should ensure that the equipment is fully functional, properly assembled. These per-operative checks must also ensure that ambient radiation intensities are in the range permissible by the regulatory limit. This can be easily determined through the use of an appropriate monitoring gauge. Radiation protection surveys should be conducted regularly to ascertain if the equipment is functioning as per the design and regulations (Center for Chemical Process Safety 2011, 122). This equipment should be monitored upon installation, during maintenance, repairs or accidental overexposure. The assessment should be carried out by radiation protection officers during compliance evaluations as part of registration of the equipment. Frequent examination of this equipment should be done according to the equipment’s blueprint, terms of usage and performance history. Moreover, the quality assurance strategy must put into account a comprehensive evaluation of safety devices as well as radiation safeguards. The survey of the equipment must also include a thorough examination into stray radiation measurements occurring under worst scenarios. There should be proper quantification of drift radiation more than the required limit and specification of the area. The assessment of public and occupational radiations above regulatory dose limit must be done effectively and efficiently. Auditing is also a major aspect in quality assurance which puts into account availability of a copy of the safety protocol. Maintenance of the equipment as undertaken by the institution must be examined. Additionally, reporting of unsafe operational protocols including accidental exposures and overexposures must be available for scrutiny (Abujudeh and Bruno 2012, 94). Summary X-rays are a group of electromagnetic waves that possess high energies capable of ionizing atoms. Ionization process happens when an x-ray photon, which is a packet of energy, collides with an orbital. This collision results in the transfer of energy to an electron which then moves in space at very high kinetic energies. The ionization process may lead to interruptions within the cellular components such as the genetic storage molecule called the DNA. The consequence of this disruption results into mutations which can be deleterious within the organism’s cell. Such effects can be broadly categorized as deterministic or stochastic. The advent of x-ray imaging and diagnostic interventions in clinical examination and therapeutic use has been beneficial. However, safety measures have to be adhered to in order to minimize exposure time hence reduce possible biological effects. In an attempt to strictly follow the guidelines, the international radiation center has come up with general principles that healthcare institutions as well as manufacturers of such equipment must depend on (Byers, Jacqueline Fowler, and Susan 2004, 142). Having a conservative approach of keeping the radiations as low as possible, regulatory mechanisms have been enacted in a majority of the territorial boundaries. One such policy entails inspection and registration of the equipment upon acquisition from the manufacturer. This helps in examining the compliance requirements as outlined by the environmental health and safety divisions. The entire process results into award of certification giving them authority to use the equipment. It is the responsibility of the healthcare providers to take precautions in the operation of the equipment. Additionally, the institutions should have qualified and equally experienced staff members who are specialized in radiology. It is the mandate of the healthcare institutions to ensure patient safety first although occupational safety form a part of safety guidelines. Failure to adhere to the regulations may lead to penalties upon investigations or during cases of negligence (Banta 2004, 165). Bibliography Abujudeh, Hani H., and Michael A. Bruno. Quality and Safety in Radiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Banta, H. David. Health Care Technology And Its Assessment In Eight Countries. Darby: DIANE Publishing, 2004. Byers, Jacqueline Fowler, and Susan V. White. Patient safety: principles and practice. Heidelberg: Springer Publishing Company, 2004. Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS). Guidelines for Auditing Process Safety Management Systems. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS). Guidelines for Risk Based Process Safety. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Krettek, Christian, and Dirk Aschemann. Positioning techniques in surgical applications: thorax, and heart surgery, vascular surgery, visceral and transplantation surgery, urology, surgery of the spinal cord and extremities, arthroscopy, pediatric surgery, navigation/ISO-C 3D. Boston: Birkhauser, 2006. Ray, Sidney F. Scientific photography and applied imaging. Massachussetts: Focal Press, 1999. Smith, Nadine Barrie, and Andrew Webb. Introduction to Medical Imaging: Physics, Engineering and Clinical Applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Sullivan, John Burke, and Gary R. Krieger. Clinical environmental health and toxic exposures. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001. Turner, Clark, Donald Kloos, and Robert Morton. "Radiation Safety Characteristics of Nomad Portable X-ray System." Aribex Inc., 2002: 112-127. Read More