APPENDIX
RADIATION THERAPY GUIDELINES
1.
X-RAY THERAPY GUIDELINES
The following guidelines for the use of x-ray therapy equipment should assist you
in using such equipment safely:
a. An x-ray therapy machine must be calibrated by a qualified expert before its
use in the treatment of patients.
b. X-ray therapy equipment should not be operated routinely until the radiation
safety of the installation has been established by a radiation protection survey. All x-ray
therapy equipment should be operated in conformance with the recommendations of the
survey.
c. Both the control panel and the patient should be kept under observation
during exposure.
d. When a patient must be held in position for radiation therapy, mechanical
supporting or restraining devices should be used. If an individual must hold the patient,
that individual should be adequately protected. He/she must be positioned so that the
useful beam will not strike any part of his/her body. The exposure of any individual
used for this purpose should be monitored.
e. If the x-ray tube of a contact therapy machine is hand-held during irradiation,
the operator should wear protective gloves and apron. When practical, a cap of at least
0.5 mm lead or its equivalent should cover the aperture window of the tube housing of
such apparatus when it is not being used.
f. The x-ray control circuit should be so designed that it is not possible to
energize the x-ray tube to produce x-rays without resetting the "ON" switch at the
control panel. If this safety precaution has not been built into the circuit, the "ON-OFF"
switch at the control should always be turned off first, then the primary switch (or wall
plug disconnected). This sequence should never be reversed.
g. Lead, lead rubber, or lead foil used for limiting the field should not transmit
more than 5 percent of the useful beam.
2.
GAMMA-BEAM THERAPY GUIDELINES
Some guidelines for the use of gamma-beam therapy equipment follow:
a. Both the control panel and the patient should be kept under observation
during exposure.
MD0950
A-1