Section I. PROCESSING ROOM, ITS FACILITIES, AND ITS EQUIPMENT
2-1.
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE DARKROOM
A plan for an ideal arrangement of an x-ray film processing room (darkroom) can
only serve as a guide for use in adapting available facilities to the needs of a particular
medical organization. This lesson presents such an ideal plan. This plan is designed for a
permanent installation; however, much of the information will be useful in a variety of
situations. In the field, processing rooms will usually be set up in tents and a great deal of
improvising may be necessary. In any event, the flow of x-ray films from the exposure
room, through the processing facilities, and ultimately to the viewer should be as simple,
direct, and smooth as possible, involving the fewest possible steps and motions. The
routine can be greatly expedited by locating the processing room within the x-ray
department itself and efficiently arranging all the equipment. The actual amount of
processing equipment is usually allocated to an x-ray department in accordance with the
equipment authorization list provided the particular hospital installation.
2-2.
PROCESSING ROOM LAYOUT
a. The processing room should be adjacent to the exposure room and must have a
source of electricity for operating its apparatus. Lightproofing is an absolute necessity. In
the field, a lightproof tent is usually available; in an emergency, it may be necessary to use
blankets or tarpaulins for lightproofing.
b. Figure 2-1 shows a layout for an automatic processor darkroom. Normally, the
darkroom for automatic processing is smaller than for manual processing. The layout
provides for a "dark side" and a "light side." Film holders will be loaded and unloaded on
the workbench area (items 7, 8, and 9).
c. In some field situations, an automatic processor may not be available.
Consequently, processing will have to be accomplished manually. Figure 2-2 shows a
plan for a small manual processing room (approximately 10 by 15 feet) that will permit a
daily production of about 200 finished radiographs. The plan provides for the entire
operation in one room, divided into a "dry side" and a "wet side." The minimum separation
between these two areas should be four feet. In a wider room, the dryer may be
positioned across one end. In a large square room, the bench (item 2, figure 2-1) and the
processing tanks (item 14, figure 2-2) could be installed along adjoining walls, but care
must be taken to separate "wet" and "dry" equipment either by a partition or by sufficient
space. In the layout shown, a cassette-transfer cabinet (item 8, figure 2-1) is near the film-
loading bench (item 2, figure 2-1), which is located on the "dry" side. After the films are
loaded on hangers, it is but a step or two to the developing tank (figure 2-1). Storage
compartments (item 7, figure 2-1) next to the cassette transfer cabinet are useful for
storing cassettes, film holders, and intensifying screens. Wastepaper receptacles can be
incorporated into the loading bench to save floor space. The efficiency of this layout can
be maintained by following the workflow line. The loading bench, processing tank unit,
and dryer should be so arranged that steps can be kept to a minimum. In figure 2-2, the
dotted lines indicate the route the x-ray specialist should normally follow in handling and
processing films.
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2-2