Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 333 - OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY, PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION › Division 106 - X-RAYS IN THE HEALING ARTS › Section 333-106-0045 - Use of Best Procedures and Equipment

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) Procedures and auxiliary equipment
			 designed to minimize patient and personnel exposure commensurate with the
			 needed diagnostic information shall be utilized.
(2) The speed of film or screen and film
			 combinations shall be the fastest speed consistent with the diagnostic
			 objective of the examinations.
(3)
			 The radiation exposure to the patient shall be the minimum exposure required to
			 produce images of good diagnostic quality, see Tables 1, 2 and 3. The
			 referenced tables are available on the Program's website:
www.healthoregon.org/rps
.
(4) Portable or mobile X-ray
			 equipment shall be used only for examinations where it is impractical to
			 transfer the patient(s) to a stationary X-ray installation due to the medical
			 status of the patient or the inability of the patient to be left alone during
			 the imaging procedure except as permitted under section (5) of this rule.
(5) Hand-held dental units may be
			 used at facilities or programs as defined in ORS 680.205(1) and (2).
(6) X-ray systems subject to OAR 333-106-0301  shall not be utilized in procedures where the source to patient distance is
			 less than 30 centimeters (cm).
(7)
			 Cardboard cassettes without screens shall not be used (dental intraoral
			 excluded).
(8) The number of
			 radiographs taken for any radiographic examination should be the minimum number
			 needed to adequately diagnose the clinical condition.
(9) Use of techniques designed to compensate
			 for anatomical thickness variations after the primary beam has exited the
			 patient is specifically prohibited. This includes "split screen" imaging
			 techniques whereby multiple speed intensifying screens are placed in the same
			 cassette, or any techniques which rely on attenuation of secondary (remnant)
			 radiation for compensatory purposes. Lead lined grids, which are designed to
			 reduce scattered radiation are excluded from this provision.
(10) Filter slot covers shall be provided for
			 the X-ray operator's protection.
(11) Facilities shall determine or cause to
			 be measured the typical patient exposure for their most common radiographic
			 examinations. The exposures shall be recorded as milliroentgens measured in
			 free air at the point of skin entrance for an average patient. These exposure
			 amounts must then be compared to existing guidelines and rules, and if they
			 exceed such guidelines or rules, action must be taken to reduce the exposure
			 while at the same time maintaining or improving diagnostic image quality. In
			 addition, typical patient exposure values shall be posted in the radiographic
			 examination rooms so that they are readily available to administrators, X-ray
			 operators, patients and practitioners.
(12) Protective equipment including aprons,
			 gloves and shields shall be checked annually for defects, such as holes, cracks
			 and tears to assure reliability and integrity. A record of this test shall be
			 made and maintained for inspection by the Authority. If such defect is found,
			 equipment shall be replaced or removed from service until repaired. Fluoroscopy
			 shall only be used for this purpose if a visual and manual check indicated a
			 potential problem.
(13) Dental
			 X-ray machines designed and manufactured to be used for dental purposes shall
			 be restricted to dental use only.
(14) An X-ray quality control program shall
			 be implemented when required by the Authority.
(15) All X-ray equipment must be capable of
			 functioning at the manufacturer's intended specifications.
(16) All patients' radiographic images or
			 copies shall be made available for review by any practitioner of the healing
			 arts, currently licensed by the appropriate Oregon licensing board, upon
			 request of the patient.
Tables referenced are not included in rule text.
Click here for PDF copy of
				  table(s)
.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 453.605 - 453.807
Stats. Implemented: ORS 453.605 -
				  453.807