Radiation and Safety
At BRP we take safety (Radiation as well as Health & Safety) very seriously. Although we are guided by regulations and guidelines from our professional bodies (SAHPRA and HPCSA), we have also instituted in-house protocols for the safety of patients, staff and external personnel visiting our facilities. Our radiographers are all qualified and trained to not only operate the equipment but also apply safe radiation practice. Infection control and cross-contamination are also strictly monitored.
Radiation, due to the effect of it on all beings, must be controlled and monitored to the highest standards. Within the radiology department, we use equipment that produces ionising radiation, magnetic fields as well as ultrasonic waves – all should be controlled and handled safely.
The use of radiation exposure to create a diagnosis should always be put into perspective and considered with an emphasis on the treatment and management of the patient, along with the benefit of an early diagnosis.
All our equipment is registered with SAHPRA, under the Directorate of Radiation Control and complies with all their regulation and the Radiation Control Act. Equipment is regularly serviced and assessed by a SANAS-accredited company for compliance with the Radiation Control Regulations.
Our protocol committee continually review and adjusts examination protocols with the latest tendencies as well as minimisation of radiation dose to the patient, without compromising image quality.
If you are at all concerned or have any questions, please send our Radiation Safety Officer an email: rso@bergmanross.co.za and we will answer you back as soon as possible.
SAHPRA
Radiation in a nutshell
An x-ray is a quick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body.
It is a very effective way of looking at the bones and can be used to help detect a range of conditions.
X-rays are usually carried out in x-ray departments by trained specialists called Radiographers.