Do I Need Film (X-ray Exposure) Badges for My Staff?

This is the all-encompassing question for many doctors' offices... How do I know if I need to provide film badges or not. There is a reason why the answer to this question seems to be elusive. It isn't always straightforward.

Now you can go and look online for your state regulatory bylaws and recommendations, but they usually qualify specific circumstances that require these specific monitoring devices, which means that you may be relegated to drilling deep into the legal documents to parcel this out.

The fact of the matter is podiatry specific x-ray units do not usually require dose monitoring because of the low exposure output of the machine. However, most all other x-ray units do require some type of badges because of the risk involved with higher output. Dental office x-rays are low yielding, but because the x-rays are in such close proximity to vulnerable areas on both patient and worker, it is recommended to apply protection and also to monitor exposure. These vulnerable areas are the eyes, lymphatics, and breast tissue.

As a specialist in the field, I would still recommend film badges for all x-ray devices. We live in an age where documentation is everything. It is better to do too much then to neglect with too little effort. This is also a time where those who are not familiar with x-ray, both general population and medical staff, present with fear and hesitation around x-ray equipment. Although they may not understand the physics of x-ray dispersion, it is very common for audiences like this to have an intense distrust that they are in a safe environment.

The benefit of purchasing and using x-ray monitoring devices is that it provides monthly readouts and gauges appropriate x-ray doses. It demonstrates to the employees that managers are concerned for their safety and assures them that they are well within acceptable ranges. And this is all on file and available to them at any time.

I know many clinics that have blown off acquiring film badges due to the logistical challenges that come with it. Each badge has to be customized with individual employee names. Every new employee must have a new badge ordered for them as these are not transferable. Each month, managers must retrieve the old badges replacing them with new badges and subsequently mailing the old badges to a specialized lab for interpretation.

If one has a considerable number of staff members, this can be an annoying investment of time and energy. But there are options. There are film badges that look like a flash drive, and the information can be extracted from that type of badge by inserting it into a computer and uploading exposure data. Data from other badges can be retrieved through an application on a phone. When a savvy manager has these tools, the process is no longer such an inconvenience.

Reiterating thoughts, it may not be mandatory, but it is highly recommended to resign yourself to acquire film badges for each x-ray staff member. Most x-ray modalities do require film badges, but a small few do not. But this should not deter managers from overriding norms, and providing evidence to team members that they are well within safe limits.