Section R12-1-607. Additional X-ray Machine Standards, Shielding Requirements, and Procedures, Except Mobile Fluoroscopic, Dental Panoramic, Cephalometric, Dental CT, or Dental Intra- oral Radiographic Systems

A.      Useful beam limitation. A registrant shall:

1.        Provide a means to restrict the useful beam to the area of clinical interest for any combination of SID and image receptor size employed.

2.        Ensure that beam-limiting devices meet the following requirements:

a.         Devices that project a circular radiation field restrict the diameter of the useful beam, not to exceed the diagonal dimension of the image receptor by greater than 2 percent of the SID;

b.        Devices that project a rectangular or square radiation field restrict the useful beam to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the image receptor to within 2 percent of the SID;

c.         Beam limiting devices that do not incorporate light beams to define the  projected radiation field  are clearly labeled, indicating the SID and image recep- tor size at which each device complies with the applicable requirements of subsection (A)(2)(a) or (b);

d.        Adjustable beam-limiting devices installed after July 31, 1971, incorporate light beams to define the pro- jected dimensions of the useful beam and provide an average illumination of not less than 100 lux (9 foot- candles) at 1 meter (3.3 feet) or at the maximum SID, whichever is less. The average illumination shall be based upon measurements made in the approximate center of each quadrant of the light field; and

e.         All beam-limiting devices installed, on general pur- pose fixed and mobile radiographic systems, provide stepless means of continuous adjustment of the pro- jected radiation field size.

3.        Provide a means to align the center of the radiation field to the center of the image receptor to within 2 percent of the SID.

B.       Radiation exposure control. A registrant shall:

1.        Provide a means to terminate the exposure at a preset time interval, preset product of current and time, preset number of pulses, or a preset exposure to the image receptor. The registrant shall ensure that it is not possible to make an exposure when the exposure control device is set to a “zero” or “off” position if either position is pro- vided.

2.        Ensure that the exposure switch is a “dead-man” switch, and except for those used with “spot-film” devices in flu- oroscopy, is arranged so that it cannot be conveniently operated outside a shielded area.

3.        Provide x-ray systems with automatic exposure control, which indicates at the control panel when this mode is selected, and a visual and audible signal, which indicates termination of the exposure.

4.        Use a control panel that includes:

a.         A device (usually a milliamp meter) that will give a positive indication during radiation production; and

b.        Control setting indicators or meters that indicate the appropriate technical factors: kVp, mAs, mA, or exposure time, and any special mode selected for the exposure.

C.      Structural shielding. A registrant shall:

1.        Ensure that all wall, floor and ceiling areas struck by the useful beam have primary protective barriers. Primary protective barriers in walls shall extend from the finished floor to a minimum height of 2.13 meters (7 feet);

2.        Ensure that secondary protective barriers are provided in all wall, floor, and ceiling areas that do not have primary protective barriers or where the primary protective barrier

requirements  are  lower  than  the  secondary  barrier requirements;

3.        Ensure that the operator’s station is behind a protective barrier sufficient to ensure compliance with R12-1-408, R12-1-414, and R12-1-416, and the operator is able to communicate with the patient from the operator’s station.

4.        Provide a window of transparent material equal in attenu- ation to that required by the adjacent barrier, or a mirror system, that is large enough and placed so that the opera- tor can see the patient during exposure without having to leave the protected area.

D.      Operating procedures. A registrant shall:

1.        Use mechanical supporting or restraining devices, if a patient must be held in position for radiography. If the patient must be held by an individual, the registrant shall ensure that the individual is protected with appropriate shielding devices, such as protective gloves and apron, and is positioned so that no part of the body of the indi- vidual holding the patient is struck by the useful beam;

2.        Ensure that only individuals required for the radiographic procedure are in the radiographic room during exposure, and, except for the patient, all these individuals are equipped with protective devices;

3.        Restrict the useful beam to the clinical area of interest;

4.        Provide a chart in the vicinity of the diagnostic x-ray sys- tem’s control panel that specifies, for all routine examina- tions performed with the system, the following information:

a.         Patient’s anatomical size and technique factors;

b.        Type and size of the film or film screen combina- tion;

c.         Type and focal distance of the grid, if any;

d.        X-ray source-to-image receptor distance; and

e.         Type and location of gonad shielding.

5.        Provide documentation of the following items:

a.         The patient’s identity;

b.        The  x-ray  examination,  as  recorded  in   a  radio- graphic log;

c.         The date the examination is performed;

d.        The number of projections (if applicable), or on- time, or dose factors depending upon the unit; and

e.         A method of identifying the individual who per- formed the examination.

6.        The registrant shall maintain in chronological order, the documentation required in subsection (D)(5) in written or readily available electronic form. The documentation shall be maintained for three years from the date the examination is performed.

Historical Note

Adopted effective June 30, 1977 (Supp. 77-3). Former Section R12-1-607 repealed, new Section R12-1-607 adopted effective August 8, 1986 (Supp. 86-4). Amended

effective January 2, 1996 (Supp. 96-1). Amended by final

rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 4302, effective November 14,

2003 (Supp. 03-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 15

A.A.R. 1023, effective August 1, 2009 (Supp. 09-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 3882, effec-

tive January 4, 2014 (Supp. 13-4).