Infection Control Manual
Approved clinical attire, treatment gloves, facemasks (when there is the potential for splatter of infectious materials) and other appropriate barrier protection are required when rendering patient care in the Radiology Clinic and in other areas when radiologic examinations are performed.
All waste materials will be disposed in Biohazard receptacles.
General Room Setup:
- If not present, place a plastic drape on the x-ray tube head, chair back and work space. Place clean foil or plastic covers on the control dials and exposure switch. Select the correct technique factors required for the examination. Cover laptop keyboard with plastic drape if using digital radiography or CCD system.
- Wash hands and put on clean examination gloves.
- Obtain the appropriate positioning instruments needed for the examination and place them on the covered work space.
- Obtain the number of films/ image receptors as per protocol for device used and place them on a formal layout sheet on the covered work space. Set aside a paper towel wet with disinfectant to wipe saliva from the exposed films/ image receptors. Remove and discard gloves.
- Seat patient. Briefly determine if the patient has any unprotected skin lesions that the lead apron or collar will touch. If so, tape a gauze square over the lesion or place a towel or other protective cover under the apron.
- Wash hands and put on examination gloves and proceed with exam per receptor protocol.
Receptor Prep/Handling & Processing:
Standard Film:
- With gloved hands obtain the number of films needed for exam and place on layout sheet.
- After each exposure wipe saliva off the film packet with a dry paper towel and place them into a paper cup.
- After all films have been exposed wipe each film packet with a paper towel wet with disinfectant and place them into a clean paper cup. Remove gloves and wash hands.
- Take films to darkroom. With gloved hands, open film packets dropping film onto a clean paper towel, discarding contaminated film wraps into trash can and discard lead foil in containers provided.
- Remove and discard gloves, with clean gloved hands, process films separating double packet film before loading into processor.
- Should retakes be necessary follow the same procedures in this section. When exam is complete, dismiss patient and follow protocol for room setup.
Daylight Loader Method:
- Follow steps 1-3 above.
- Put on two pairs of clean gloves, line the bottom of loader with a paper towel and place cup containing films and an empty cup into the daylight loader.
- Insert hands into loader through ports. Open each packet allowing the film to drop onto the paper towel. Place wraps and foil into appropriate containers.
- When all packets are opened remove top pair of gloves and place in the trash paper cup. Separate double film and place into processor.
- After all films have been processed, removed gloves turning inside out and then withdraw hands from ports. Open daylight loader and remove gloves and trash. Wash hands.
PSP
- Wash hands. With clean ungloved hands, place the number of PSP receptors needed for exam in protective covers and on layout sheet.
- Proceed with exam. After each exposure wipe receptor with a dry paper towel and place in a clean paper cup.
- When exam is finished wipe each receptor cover with a paper towel wet with disinfectant and place into a clean paper cup. Remove gloves and wash hands.
- With clean gloved hands, tear open receptor packet and drop receptor into light tight black box.
- Remove gloves and wash hands.
- Take box to scanning area and process as per protocol.
- When scanning is complete erase image using appropriate method. Re-bag and store receptors in closed container as directed. Wipe off image erasing screen with a disinfectant soaked paper towel.
- Should retakes be necessary follow the same procedures in this section. When exam is complete, dismiss patient and follow protocol for room setup.
CCD Receptors:
- With clean hands place CCD receptor in protective cover and cover keyboard with plastic drape.
- Wash hands. With gloved hands proceed with exam.
- When exam is complete remove gloves and wash hands, dismiss patient. With gloved hands remove protective covers from sensor and keyboard. Wipe sensor and cord with a paper towel wet with disinfectant.
- Remove gloves and wash hands.
- Prepare room for next patient as described in room setup.
