RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR THE RADIOLOGY DEPT

File: 091896_aug96_decls32_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 3

Subject: RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR THE RADIOLOGY DEPT             

Box  ID: BX005154

Document Number:          1

Folder Title: RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM DEFICIENCIES                                                       

Folder Seq #:         70

Unit: 22D SUPCOM  

Parent Organzation: ARCENT      









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                     PR     In MEDICNTE DETA        - BOUTMMST ASIA
                                      A'PO Az 09808



            AP'RD-MD-PXB                                       9 SEPT 1991
                                                 Vk@
            MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, 21stXa!ation Hospital
            SUBJECT: Radiation Protection Program for the Radiology
            Department


            1. Problem: The 21st Evacuation Hospital has been without a
            radiation protection program. Film badges are not being worn by
            personnel in the X-ray Department. A Radiation Protection Officer
            has not been appointed in accordance with AR 40-5 Chap. 9.

            2. Discussion: The X-ray equipment currently in use at the 21st
            Evacuation Hospital is considered a low level source of ionizing
            radiation. However, testing of similar field portable X-ray units
            have demonstrated that exposure to a direct beam during routine
            chest radiograph produced levels of radiation in excess of 110 to
            120 mrem/hr at a distance of six feet from the bare wall. The
            same beam at 20 feet produced levels measuring from 5 to 10
            mrem/hr.
                This poses a significant hazard for anyone in areas adjacent
            to the beam, such as hospital staff and waiting patients. These
            machines will produce scatter, and the radiation levels may well
            exceed the standard of 2 xrem/hr for occupational exposure of
            non- radiation workers. This can be prevented by the addition of
            sand bags to the wall facing the beam and the construction of a
            sand bag wall at the entrance.
                The 85th Evacuation Hospital did not have a program
            established during operation Desert Shield/Storm. There are no
            waivers for field units during wartime operations contained in AR
    40-14. These deficiencies and requirements to establish a
            Radiation Protection Program were noted as early as 22 MAY'91
            (see Enclosure 11).

            3. FINDINGS%

              A. Film badges are not being worn by either the Radiology
            Department or Medical Maintenance staff.

               b. Inspection/ review of the procedures and physical locations
            of X-ray one and Two reveal a potential for exposure to both
            direct beam and scatter in the Radiology Department.

              C. X-RAY ONE: The wall directly in front of the beam is not
            sand bagged. The area behind the wall has heavy hospital traffic
            plus has an ice machine located within 30 feet. The entrance to
            Medical Maintenance is located within 30 feet of the direct beam.

Document 3 f:/Week-34/BX005154/RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM DEFICIENCIES/radiation protection program for the radiology d:09139616143473
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX005154
Unit = 22D SUPCOM
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM DEFICIENCIES
Folder Seq # = 70
Subject = RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR THE RADIOLOGY D
Document Seq # = 73
Document Date =
Scan Date = 30-AUG-1996
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 13-SEP-1996