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→Radiological protection of healthcare staff
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The principles for the protection of workers from ionising radiation are discussed fully in [[ICRP Publication 75]] General Principles for the Radiation Protection of Workers.<ref name="Pub075">[[ICRP Publication 75]] General Principles for the Radiation Protection of Workers. Ann. ICRP 27(1), 1997.</ref> These principles apply to healthcare staff working in [[Application_of_ionising_radiation_in_healthcare#Diagnostic_Radiology|diagnostic radiology]], [[Application_of_ionising_radiation_in_healthcare#Interventional_Procedures|interventional procedures]], [[Application_of_ionising_radiation_in_healthcare#Nuclear_Medicine|nuclear medicine]], and [[Application_of_ionising_radiation_in_healthcare#Radiation_Therapy|radiation therapy]] facilities.<ref name="Pub105"/> ICRP has recently published recommendations on occupational radiological protection in interventional procedures.<ref name="Pub139">[[ICRP Publication 139]] Occupational Radiological Protection in Interventional Procedures. Ann. ICRP 47(2), 2018-1.</ref>
The control of occupational radiological exposure in healthcare can be simplified and made more effective by the designation of workplaces into two types: controlled areas and supervised areas. In a controlled area, normal working conditions, including the possible occurrence of minor mishaps, require workers to follow well-established procedures and practices aimed specifically at controlling radiation exposures. A supervised area is one in which the working conditions are kept under review, but special procedures are not normally needed.
Individual monitoring for external radiation is simple and does not require a heavy commitment of resources. In medicine, it should be used for all those who work in controlled areas.
In several areas of healthcare, the control of occupational exposure is of particular importance, including nursing of brachytherapy patients when the sources have been implanted, palpation of patients during procedures utilising fluoroscopy, fluoroscopically guided [[Interventional Application_of_ionising_radiation_in_healthcare#Interventional_Procedures|interventional procedures]] such as in heart catheterisation, or radiopharmaceutical preparation by staff in [[Application_of_ionising_radiation_in_healthcare#Nuclear_Medicine|nuclear medicine]]. In all these procedures, careful shielding and time limits are needed. Individual monitoring with careful scrutiny of the results is also important. In brachytherapy, frequent and careful accounting of sources is essential.
===Protecting pregnant workers===
