World Radiography Day - limit your exposure

Correctly administered, an X-ray examination by a qualified radiographer can be an extremely useful tool in helping doctors to treat patients, but it can also expose patients to unnecessary radiation if performed incorrectly. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) would like to remind the public that they should be examined by an appropriately qualified healthcare practitioner to ensure that quality diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures are performed.

Monday, 8 November is World Radiography Day, which commemorates the discovery of X-rays by Professor Wilhelm Roentgen. The aim of World Radiography Day is to raise awareness about the profession, stimulate interest in radiography as a career and also address the shortage of Radiographers in South Africa.

Beware of over-exposure

The HPCSA is mandated to both guide the professions and protect the public regarding any dangers that may affect them. With this in mind, to mark this year's landmark day, the HPCSA would like to urge both the public and practitioners to be aware of over-exposure to radiation.

Chairperson for the Professional Board for Radiography and Clinical Technology, Mable Kekana said it was important that both the public and healthcare professionals are aware of the dangers of performing X-rays incorrectly.

"Radiation protection must be ensured at all times and it is the responsibility of practitioners to see that patients are not subjected to high dose radiation procedures unnecessarily," Kekana said.

Kekana also stressed that the benefits of various services practitioners offer must always outweigh the risks, saying "practitioners need to protect themselves as well as the public and find a balance between a good quality image and the minimum radiation dose to patients in all procedures."

Professor Roentgen was working with cathode rays using evacuated glass bulbs when he noted that when a current passed across the bulb, a barium platino-cyanide screen fluoresced. He furthermore noted the effect of the phenomenon on photographic plates and termed these "x-rays". He also asserted that with the use of these x-rays, he could see through the body.

Kekana said that although technology has influenced the profession, the basics of that wonderful invention over a millennium ago, is to this day still used by doctors, radiographers and even engineers.

Inform and educate

"Radiographers are now also performing ultrasound, mammography, fluoroscopy and using other imaging - all based on the principles of X-rays."

"Through participation in this day, we are calling on all radiographers and clinical technologists to inform and educate the public about our exciting professions by taking some time to explain to a child how a machine in a radiography or clinical technology practice works, how you get the image and where his/her arm is broken or how your lungs function. This might spark an interest to become a radiographer one day as we need to have more qualified radiographers and clinical technologists in our country."

Learners, who are interested in pursuing a career in radiography or clinical technology, are encouraged to go and visit practices to learn more about these exciting professions.