Extraneous adult fingers imaged on pediatric chest X-rays.
BACKGROUND
The medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) selected a collection of pediatric chest X-rays for a clinical audit. As an unrelated activity during the performance of this audit, the frequency of adult fingers visualized on the PICU chest X-rays was documented.


METHODS
A clinical audit of 439 PICU chest X-rays was performed. The visualization of adult fingers on the radiographs was categorized into those fingers directly in the X-ray beam and those seen only in the partially coned area of the images.


RESULTS
There were 43 instances (9.8%) in which adult fingers were directly exposed to the X-ray beam. Additionally, in 23 instances (5.2%), adult fingers were seen only in the partially coned area of the image.


CONCLUSIONS
Professional standards of practice and radiation biology publications support the need to avoid occupational radiation exposure. Occupational health and safety and radiation safety regulations stipulate that operators of an X-ray emitting device, or technologists assisting in the operation of an X-ray emitting device, must distance themselves from the primary beam (minimum of 3 metres) during X-ray exposure. All attempts must be made not to expose other individuals during the acquisition of clinical images. These policies and practice standards must be reinforced to minimize the exposure of medical radiation technologists and other medical staff to radiation.
Burbridge
Brent E
BE
Academic Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK. brent.burbridge@usask.ca
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011835:Radiation Protection; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013679:Technology, Radiologic; D000078329:Workforce; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*