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Erin Murdoch
Public misconceptions about ionizing radiation can lead to unnecessary fears in patients
regarding radiation safety. Sometimes, these fears can cause an obstacle in signing consent forms
for a procedure, which can create a delay that further jeopardizes the patient’s well-being.1
Radiation oncology departments have methods and procedures in place to help increase patient
safety, however, explaining radiation safety to patients is an important aspect of care that is often
overlooked.2 The level of patient education necessary may depend on how concerned the patient
is with radiation exposure, however, several elements can be explained to help increase
understanding about safety.
Additionally, it can be helpful to inform patients that diagnostic range radiation doses are
often too small to cause any deterministic side effects.1 Patients often fear potential stochastic
effects which have no dose threshold. According to Warner,3 we have no direct evidence that
small doses of radiation are harmful. Radiologic technologists operate under the assumption that
any exposure can cause biological damage.3 This assumption allows technologists to use
techniques that minimizes exposure, even when working with low doses.3 Patients should also be
informed that diagnostic range radiation damage can be repaired by healthy cells.1
When a patient better understands medical radiation exposure, it allows them to make
more accurate decisions when balancing the potential risks against the expected benefit of the
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exam or treatment.2 Patient education can also include explaining the departmental procedures
that contribute to radiation safety.
In addition to set regulations, health workers often utilize a culture of safety within a
radiation therapy department to help protect patients.5 Therapy department leaders exhibit
qualities that uphold a culture of safety and empower employees to improve clinical processes.5
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Part of this safety culture often includes an open work environment that allows employees to
comfortably report both errors and near misses.7 When employees report on incidents that could
lead to a treatment mistake, it allows departments to improve procedures and prevent errors in
the future.
While some patients hold misconceptions about the dangers of exposure, radiation in
medicine still has the potential for hazardous side effects if radiation safety procedures are not
developed and closely followed. The multifaceted efforts of the radiation oncology team provide
a triple-checked system so that no one individual is solely responsible for radiation safety. The
safety procedures utilized by radiation oncology departments are frequently changing, and
workers should continue to report errors and strive for patient safety in order to prevent future
mistakes.
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References