Best Methods to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure

The role of a radiographer is to create diagnostic quality images using different forms of radiation. Radiography uses x-rays to create radiographic images, which can cause biochemical changes. It is the ethical and legal responsibility of a radiographer to follow radiation protection practices and the concept of ALARA, as low as reasonably achievable, and protect the patient from unnecessary radiation. Radiographers used their professional judgement and knowledge and shielded patients from unnecessary radiation. Reports and statements by different organizations have caused significant changes in the practice of fetal and gonadal shielding, and the use of fetal and gonadal shielding are no longer recommended during all radiographic procedures. The Midwestern State University Moffett Library was used to access CINAHL and Medline articles to search for other radiation protection methods. Appropriate radiation practices were using proper collimation, selecting appropriate technical exposure factors, practicing image appropriateness to reduce unnecessary radiation to patients, creating a positive patient safety culture, and implementing reject and repeat analysis procedures. Gonadal shielding was a principal concept of radiation protection and radiographers should use their professional judgement, knowledge, and critical thinking and use all radiation protection methods to protect patients. Future research should explore other radiation protection tools implemented to protect patients from unnecessary radiation such as digital quantum efficiency of imaging receptors and collimation as dose reduction tool.