AliMed Guide to Radiation Protection Aprons
A Comprehensive Line of Radiation Protection Apparel and Equipment
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Contents
• What is Radiation Protection?
• Potential Areas for Exposure
• Buying Aprons – Customer Guide
– Radiation Facts
– Styles of Aprons
– Thyroid Shields
– Apron Fitting
• Other Radiation Protection Products
Radiation Protection
Radiation protection is the protection of the people from harmful effects of ionized
radiation which include both particle radiation and high energy electromagnetic
radiation.
A.L.A.R.A.
What is A.L.A.R.A.?
An acronym for As Low As Reasonably Achievable. This is a radiation safety principle for minimizing radiation doses and releases of
radioactive materials by employing all reasonable methods. ALARA is not only a
sound safety principle, but it is a regulatory requirement for all radiation safety programs.
Radiation Facts
• kVp: Kilovolt Peak is the component that controls the grayscale & contrast quality of the x-ray beam produced.
• Setting the kVp at “80”, the maximum kilovolt that will be produced is 80 kV, or 80,000 volts
Radiation Facts – Lead Equivalency
kVp .35 mm PbEquivalency
.5mm PbEquivalency
80 91% Blocked 95% Blocked
90 88% Blocked 93% Blocked
100 86% Blocked 92% Blocked
Radiation Facts – Effects of Exposure
• Chronic low dose irradiation over a considerable period of time or few exposures giving a high dose
• Clinical Features • Scaling ,warty growth on hands
• Skin cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Cataract formation
• Compromised bone marrow can lead to fatal anemia and leukemia
• Premature ageing
• Growth and development of fetus and young children
The Importance of Radiation Protection
Health risk Estimated Loss of Life
Expectancy
Smoking 20 cigarettes a day 6 years
Overweight by 15% 2 years
Alcohol consumption (U.S. Average) 1 years
Agricultural accidents 320 days
Construction accidents 227 days
Auto accidents 207 days
Home accidents 74 days
Occupational Radiation dose (1 rem/yr), from
age 18 – 65 (47 rem total)
51 days
All natural hazards (hurricane, earthquake,
flood)
7 days
Medical radiation 6 days
Buying an Apron: Facts
• A typical 0.5-mm lead equivalent apron or thyroid shield will provide approximately 95% attenuation of scattered fluoroscopy x-rays
• All AliMed Aprons and Thyroid Shields are .5mmPb
Steps to Buying an Apron
Do you need Front and back protection?
– Clinician turns their back to the beam
– Movement within the OR during fluoroscopy
#1. Determine apron style
Steps to Buying an Apron
• 1st Determine the style of Apron
• What is your role? Do you want 1 or 2 pieces?
– Cardiac catheterization:
• In lab for 5-8 hours at a time
• Prefer vest and kilts
– Interventional Radiology:
• Often wear front and back protection – vest and kilts
Steps to Buying an Apron
• Determine the Style of Apron
• Do You want 1 or 2 piece?
– Standard vest: loose fit
– Reverse Vest: To achieved a snug fit:• Shrug shoulders,
• Tighten the attachment points
• Un-shrug
Apron Styles – 2 Piece
• Standard Vest & Kilt
Attaches with hook & loop inside front panel
Full .5 mm front protection &.25mm back protection
• Reverse Vest & Kilt
Snug fit is distribute weight on the body
Attaches with hook & loop at the shoulder and waist tabs
Full .5 mm front protection &.25mm back protection
Apron Styles – 1 Piece
• Coat Apron
Fully adjustable Back-Saver belt for lumbar support
Wraps around the body
Redistributes weight from shoulder to hips
Full .5 mm front protection &.25mm back protection
Steps to Buying an Apron
• 1st Determine the style of Apron
• Do you need front protection?
• What is your role?
– Surgeon: Quick Drop, Adjustable Quick drop 2 & 4 point release at the shoulder and hips Adjustable Quick Drop easier to put on due to arm holes
– Radiology: Most popular styles are Weight Reliever, Flex Weight Reliever and Back Aid
Apron Styles
• Quick Drop
Easy to Remove
Two Point quick release at the waist
This style is typically worn by the Surgeon
• Adjustable Quick Drop
Easy to Remove/Easy to put on
Two Point quick release at the waist & Two Point release at the shoulder
Apron Styles
• Weight Reliever
Criss-crossed shoulder straps for easy on/off
Two Point quick release at the waist
• Flex Weight Reliever
Criss -crossed shoulder straps for easy on/off
Two Point quick release at the waist
Elasticized back for close fit and support
Shoulder strap for security
Apron Styles
• Back Aid Apron
Fully adjustable Back saver belt for lumbar support
Shoulder strap for security
Redistributes weight from shoulder to hips
Apron Styles
• Tie Apron
Soft 1 ” ties criss-crossed shoulder straps
Shoulder strap for security
Economical
Thyroid Shields
• Thyroid Shields
• Attached or Unattached
• Material match the Apron whether Grab n Go or Personalized/Perfect Fit
• .5mm Pb equivalency
Buying an Apron: Guiding the Customer
• 2nd Determine the weightWeights* Material LBS *
Ultralight Lead Free 100% antimony 7.2 lbs
Lead free Antimony & Tungsten
8.0lbs
Lightweight Lead 30% Lead & 70% Antimony
8.8 lbs
Standard Lead 100% lead 11.3 lbs
* Based on .5mm Pb Large Front Protection Apron
Steps to Buying an Apron
• 3rd Determine the Program
– Grab n Go• In Stock –Ships Same Day
• Color coded by size S-XL
• 7 Styles 4 Weights
– Personalized/ Perfect Fit• Sizes S –XXL or Perfect Fit tailored to your measurements
• 300+ Colors and Prints
• 9 Styles 4 Weights
• Ships in 15 Days
Steps to Buying an Apron
• 4th Choosing Options
– When buying a Personalized/ Perfect Fit Apron/Thyroid Shield, you have options
• 300+ Colors and Prints/ aka Fun and Fashion
• A Standard Size or a Perfect Fit tailored to your measurement
• Attached or Unattached Thyroid Shield
• Monogramming
• Sleeves
• Embroidery
Measuring Tips : Lengths of Aprons
• Frontal Protection Aprons:
• Starts at the sternal notch and is measured from this point down to 1” above the knee.
• Full wrap around aprons:– Coat Aprons
– Vest/Kilt aprons`
• Always measure down the front of the person, never measure down the back.
Measuring Tips : Other Tips
• Always measure the widest part of the person, includes the chest, the hips and the waist.
• When measuring the chest. Have the customer raise their arms up.
• If the customer has an existing apron, it is always advisable to have them bring the apron and put it on.
Additional Radiation Products
• Radiation Gloves-AliMed, RadiaXon and ProGuard
• Eyewear Barrier Technologies and ProTech
• Racks: Wall Mounted and Mobile
Additional Radiation Products
• Patient Safety
• Apron Accessories: Belts, Maternity Panels, Apron transport
Additional Radiation Products
• Full Body Barriers: Leaded Acrylic and Leaded Glass
• Adjustable Radiation Barriers for Interventional Suites
• Drapes
Contact Us
• Web site
www.alimed.com
• Customer Care
888-625-4633
• Fax
800-437-2966
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