NAC459.5927. Therapeutic X-ray systems: Radiation protection survey; portable monitoring equipment.

     1. The registrant shall perform, or cause to be performed, a radiation protection survey on each new facility or any existing facility which has not been previously surveyed.

     2. Each facility location authorized to use a therapeutic X-ray device must possess portable monitoring equipment which has been calibrated appropriately and which includes, without limitation, a radiation measurement survey instrument capable of measuring dose rates over the range 0.1 µSv (0.01 mrem) per hour to 10 mSv (1000 mrem) per hour. The instrument must be calibrated annually.

     3. The radiation protection survey must:

     (a) Be performed by, or under the direction of, an authorized medical physicist for electronic brachytherapy or the radiation safety officer specified in NAC 459.5924;

     (b) Be performed under the following conditions:

          (1) The beam must be on;

          (2) The largest clinically available treatment field must be used;

          (3) A scattering phantom in the useful beam of radiation for secondary barriers must be present;

          (4) A phantom must not be used for primary barriers; and

          (5) Portable shielding in the primary and secondary beams must be taken into consideration; and

     (c) Ensure that the levels of radiation in both restricted and unrestricted areas are not likely to cause exposures to persons in excess of the limits set by this chapter.

     4. In addition to the original survey, a radiation protection survey must be performed:

     (a) After any changes are made in the shielding of the treatment room or the portable shielding;

     (b) After any changes are made in the location of the therapeutic X-ray system within the treatment room;

     (c) After relocating the therapeutic X-ray system; and

     (d) Before using the therapeutic X-ray system in a manner that may result in increased radiation levels in areas outside the treatment room.

     5. The record of the survey must include, without limitation:

     (a) All instances where the facility is in violation of applicable regulations;

     (b) The date the measurements were taken;

     (c) The reason the survey was required;

     (d) The name of the manufacturer of the system surveyed;

     (e) The model and serial numbers of the system surveyed;

     (f) The instrument used to measure the radiation levels;

     (g) A diagram of the areas surrounding the treatment room which were surveyed;

     (h) The measured dose rates at several points in each area, expressed in microsieverts or millirems per hour;

     (i) The calculated maximum level of radiation over a period of 1 week for each restricted and unrestricted area; and

     (j) The name and signature of the person who conducted the survey.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health by R185-08, eff. 5-7-2010)