Rad Safety Paper

Radiation Safety Paper
Milen Reta
Fundamentals of Radiation Safety
October 28, 2021
Since the discovery of the x-ray by Roentgen, radiation has been a vital aspect of the
medical field throughout the world. Radiation plays a role in the diagnosis as well as
treatment of disease, and without it we would be unable to perform many of the advanced
medical procedures that are available to us today. Radiation therapy in particular is a primary
treatment option in cancer management. However, radiation can indeed be very harmful and
lethal if not properly monitored and managed. In the past major errors in radiation therapy
treatments have occurred, resulting in death. Beginning in early 2010, front-page articles
appeared in the New York Times describing “accidents” in radiation therapy in which patients
lost their lives or were severely handicapped by radiation therapy treatments.1 This caught
the attention of the public as well as professionals in the field of radiation oncology.
Understandably, a fear of the potential harmful effects of radiation overdose has developed
among the public following events such as the ones described. However, through radiation
protection and safety practices, major errors in radiotherapy are rare. This is more true now
than ever before.
As with any medical treatment, radiation therapy does involve some risks. However,
every possible measure is taken to avoid harm to patients. This effort of radiation safety is
executed utilizing every single member of the radiation oncology team including radiation
therapists, dosimetrists, medical physicist, and radiation oncologist. With regard to patient
exposure, the radiation protection framework of justification, optimization and limitation of
dose is consecutively part of the prescription process of radiation therapy.2 The ultimate goal
of radiation oncology is to maximize the dose to the tumor cells and spare as much healthy
tissue as possible. This means healthy areas in your body will receive some dose. Some side
effects will occur and the severity will depend on the particular patient, diagnosis, area being
1
See reference 2
2
See reference 1
treated, past medical history, as well as other factors. Ultimately it is up to the radiation
oncologist to decide for a particular patient what the best plan for treatment is, ensuring that
the benefits outweigh the risks.
The practice of radiation oncology includes several quality control steps designed to
detect and correct mistakes and equipment failures before they negatively impact the
well-being of patients.3 I will name of few of the quality control steps that radiation facilities
take in order to keep patients safe. Following the ALARA principle to keep the patient
exposure as low as possible is always practiced. Establishing quality control programs and
protocols specific to the department aids in maintaining a safe environment. Documenting
near misses and errors, even minor areas is an important practice. It is said that before a
major mistake happens, there are several small errors leading up to it. The role of a Radiation
Safety Officer and committee are important as well. Together they monitor and document all
the radiation that is being administered, assuring that everything is in compliance with the
standards of the NRC. The Radiation Safety Office also investigates any errors that may
occur in the department. In addition to the radiation safety protocols that are being practiced,
verification of treatment has also increased over the years. This is in part due to technological
advances leading to more complex treatment , and also due to tighter dose constraints that
come with higher dose treatment. To check that such complex plans are correctly delivered,
image-guided RT (IGRT) has been developed.4 IGRT requires daily images to be taken
before treatment. This allows shifts to be made in order to correct any variations with the
setup that may occur on a daily basis. Using the IGRT lets the therapist that are treating
confirm that the patient is positioned correctly and that the target is aligned as close as
possible, within a few millimeters.
In conclusion there are many precautions that are taken in order to safely deliver
radiation to patients. Radiation can be a life saving treatment when done correctly. Patient
safety is the primary concern in this field of medicine because the consequences can be so
devastating otherwise.The safe delivery of radiation therapy requires the concerted and
coordinated effort of many professionals with varied responsibilities The role of every
3
See reference 1
4
See reference 2
member of the radiation oncology is essential in creating a safe environment for both patients,
workers and the public. The public and patients can feel confident that there are many
professionals working constantly to keep others and themselves as safe as possible.
References
1. Magrini S, Pasinetti N, Belgioia L, Triggiani L, Levis M, Ricardi U, Corvò R.
Apply Radiation Protection and Safety in Radiotherapy. La radiologia medica.2019;
124:777–782
2. Hendee W, Herman M. Improving Radiation Safety in Radiation Oncology. Medical

Physics.2011; Vol. 38, 78-82.

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2. Hendee W, Herman M. Improving Radiation Safety in Radiation Oncology. Medical

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