Registering New X-Ray Devices
All radiation-producing (X-Ray) devices must be registered with the Division of Radiation Safety by completing and submitting a New X-Ray Unit Registration Form to the DRS.
DRS manages a medical physics contract to conduct annual safety inspections of all X-Ray units in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) and best practices from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American Associates of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). DRS also performs shielding evaluations for surrounding walls and floors in rooms containing X-Ray devices to ensure radiation doses outside the facility are minimal. In addition, annual safety evaluations of all personnel shielding (lead aprons) are performed through the medical physics contract.
Upon registration, the unit will be labeled with a yellow registration sticker with a unique ID number. The unit will then be enrolled in an annual inspection schedule. The custodian can expect an email notification that the annual survey is due with date options for a survey. Depending on the complexity of the unit, surveys may take from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Always contact DRS if you are planning to relocate an X-Ray unit to ensure its accessibility for its annual safety evaluation when it comes due. If you are already using an X-Ray unit that does not possess a yellow registration sticker, please contact DRS immediately to register the device.
Types of X-Ray Devices
Radiation-producing devices may include the following:
- Linear Accelerators
- Bone Mass Absorption or DEXA
- X-Ray Irradiators or cabinet units
- X-Ray cabinets for security screening
- Computed Tomography (CT, PET/CT, SPECT/CT, cone beam, microCT)
- Dental units (handheld, panoramic, dental cone beam CT)
- Fluoroscopy units (fixed, mobile, C-Arm, under table/over table)
- Mammography
- Radiographic units
- X-ray Diffraction and open beam x-ray tubes
Registering Personnel Shielding Equipment
Lead aprons are inventoried using the Smart Track tagging system. A small, metal tag with a unique QR code is pinned to registered aprons. The QR code can be scanned to recall the apron’s survey history.
To register personnel shielding equipment, please contact Teresa Fisher for more information on how to do so. To dispose of a lead apron, please contact Chemical Waste Services at (301) 496-4710.
