Pre‐procedure

ActionRationale

1. 1.Show
   Collect digital dosimeter, record reading before entering and on leaving room.
   A digital dosimeter provides an ongoing and immediate indication of the amount of exposure received (Ionising Radiations Regulations [34], C).

Procedure

On entering:

1. 2.Show
   Put on disposable gloves.
   To prevent contamination of the hands (PHE [58], C).
2. 3.Show
   Put on disposable overshoes.
   To prevent spread of contamination outside the treatment area (PHE [58], C).
3. 4.Show
   Put on a suitable protective plastic apron or gown:

   1. long‐sleeved cotton gown, for example for lifting patient
   2. disposable plastic apron, for example for dealing with vomit or incontinence.
   To protect against low levels of contamination, for example from the patient's skin (PHE [58], C).

   To protect against high levels of contamination (PHE [58], C).
4. 5.Show
   Plan work before entering the controlled area and then work quickly and efficiently, keeping within the time allowance stated.
   To minimize radiation exposure, as consistent with good nursing care (Ionising Radiations Regulations [34], C).

On leaving:

1. 6.Show
   Remove overshoes, taking care not to touch the shoes worn underneath.
   Overshoes are removed first while gloves are still being worn to prevent the spread of contamination to hands or the floor outside the room. E
2. 7.Show
   Remove the plastic apron by holding the front of the apron and breaking the neck and waist ties.
   To prevent transfer of contamination from the gloves onto the uniform below. E
3. 8.Show
   Remove gloves by peeling them off the hands, taking care not to touch the outside surfaces with bare hands, and discard them in the clinical waste bag provided.
   To prevent transfer of contamination from the gloves’ outer surfaces to the hands. E
4. 9.Show
   Wash hands thoroughly using soap and water.
   To remove any contamination (HSE [30], C).

Post‐procedure

1. 10.Show
   Use the radiation monitor each time when leaving the room and monitor for contamination of the hands, feet and clothing. If contamination has occurred, inform the medical physics department immediately and follow the decontamination procedure. The medical physics department will advise if further whole‐body monitoring is required.
   To ensure that the nurse is not contaminated (Ionising Radiations Regulations [34], C).