Section 410IAC5-6.1-126. Veterinary medicine radiographic systems

 

                                (a) No person other than a veterinarian shall direct or order the application of radiation to any animal, nor shall any person other than a veterinarian, or a person working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, apply radiation to animals. Such direction or order to apply radiation shall be in the course of the veterinarian's professional practice or in the interest of science and shall comply with all applicable sections of this rule.

                                (b) Veterinary x-ray facilities shall comply with applicable provisions of sections 118, 120, and 123 of this rule and this section. All veterinary x-ray facilities must be evaluated at intervals not to exceed twenty-four (24) months by a diagnostic imaging physicist or x-ray machine inspector approved by the department.

                                (c) The protective tube housing shall be of diagnostic type.

                                (d) Light beam diaphragms shall be provided for collimating the useful beam to the area of clinical interest. Cones may be used only if it can be demonstrated that the x-ray tube and cassette can be fixed such that the primary beam is limited to the cassette. Diaphragms and cones shall provide the same degree of protection as is required of the housing.

                                (e) The total filtration permanently in the useful beam shall not be less than five-tenths (0.5) mm aluminum equivalent for machines operating up to fifty (50) kVp, one and five-tenths (1.5) mm aluminum equivalent for machines operating from fifty (50) to seventy (70) kVp, and two and five-tenths (2.5) mm aluminum equivalent for machines operating above seventy (70) kVp.

                                (f) A device shall be provided to terminate the exposure after a preset time or exposure. It shall not be possible to make an exposure when the timer is set to the zero (0) or off position if either is provided.

                                (g) A dead-man switch shall be provided, together with an electrical cord of sufficient length, so that the operator can stand out of the useful beam and at least six (6) feet from the animal during x-ray exposures.

                                (h) All radiographic areas shall be provided with sufficient protective barriers that the radiation limits specified in 410 IAC 5-4-2, 410 IAC 5-4-5(a), and 410 IAC 5-4-6 are not exceeded.

                                (i) The operator shall stand away from the useful beam and the animal as far as reasonably possible during the radiographic exposures.

                                (j) No individual other than the operator shall be in the x-ray room while exposures are being made unless such individual's assistance is required to ensure a successful radiographic procedure.

                                (k) When an animal must be held in position during radiography, mechanical supporting or restraining devices should be used. If the animal must be held by an individual, that individual shall be protected with appropriate shielding devices, such as protective gloves and a protective apron, and the individual shall be so positioned that no part of his or her body will be struck by the useful beam. The exposure of any individual who must hold an animal during radiography shall be monitored via a personnel dosimetry program. (Indiana State Department of Health; 410 IAC 5-6.1-126; filed Oct 29, 1993, 5:00 p.m.: 17 IR 389; readopted filed Jul 11, 2001, 2:23 p.m.: 24 IR 4234; readopted filed May 22, 2007, 1:44 p.m.: 20070613-IR-410070141RFA; readopted filed Sep 11, 2013, 3:19 p.m.: 20131009-IR-410130346RFA)