Lead Apron
Lead Aprons · X-Ray Apron · Radiation Protection Apron · Lead Vest and Skirt · Lead
A heavy apron lined with lead (or a lead-free shielding material) under a fabric cover, made to block X-rays. It comes as a front-only apron, a wrap-around coat, or a two-piece vest and skirt, often with a matching thyroid collar.
On the table
What it does, the lengths it comes in and what experienced techs know about it.
What it’s for
Worn by everyone who stays in the room during fluoroscopyfloo-ROS-kuh-peeAn x-ray method that shows moving pictures of the inside of the body in real time.fluor/o glowing (from the fluorescent screen)-scopy looking, viewingFull entry (C-arm) or X-rays, such as cholangiograms, orthopedicor-thuh-PEE-dikHaving to do with the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, and the branch of medicine that treats them.orth/o straightped/o child (the field began with straightening children's bones)-ic relating toFull entry and spine cases, pacemakerPAYS-may-kerA small device that sends electrical pulses to the heart to keep it beating at a set rate; also the heart's own natural rhythm center.Full entry and ICD insertions and endovascular repairs. It protects the wearer from scatter radiationray-dee-AY-shunEnergy that travels as waves or particles, such as X-rays, used to make images or treat cancer; also pain that spreads from its starting point.radi/o rays, radiation-ation processFull entry . Scrubbed team members put it on before the hand scrub, and the sterile gown goes over it.
Lengths and variants
0.5 mm lead equivalent for staff next to the main beam; 0.25 mm may be worn at the edge of the room. Wrap-around styles protect the back for staff who must turn away from the beam. Maternity aprons have double thickness in front but do not cover the back. Aprons come in several lengths and widths, with thyroid shields, lead glasses and lead gloves sold separately.
What experienced techs know
What techs who reach for it every day know about it.Pro
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- After the case
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5 sources
- AST. Standards of Practice for Ionizing Radiation Exposure in the Perioperative Setting. 2010. Standards of Practice II, V and VI, p. 2-6
- Fuller JK. Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Chapter 7 (Environmental Hazards), p. 93
- Goldman MA. Pocket Guide to the Operating Room. 3rd ed. Chapter 3 (Safety Measures for Operating Room Personnel), p. 52
- AST. Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist. 4th ed. Chapter 12, p. 328
- medicalsearch.com.au
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