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

Fitting Aprons – AliMed Perfect Fit

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