Radiation Badge FAQ

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Below you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions about the radiation badge program. If you aren't finding an answer to your question below, please feel free to contact us at 800-233-0210 or [email protected].

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FAQ Badges

What is a RADIATION SOURCE SHEET and why is it important that I complete one?

It is best that RDC understand the sources of radiation around which you work. A completed Radiation Source Sheet helps us determine the accurate response of dosimeters. An improperly exposed badge can be more easily identified and erros can be corrected by making minor adjustments that ensure the most accurate dose readings possible.

Radiation Source Sheets are also used to calculate dose from ring dosimeters. A ring dosimeter contains one phosphor, unlike the typical TLD badge, which contains four separate phosphors and filtration that can didscriminate different energies. This makes it impossible to automatically determine what type of radiation a ring has been expopsed and this discriminateion of energies is what determines the type of radiation to which the badge has been exposed.

During the setup of your account, a review of your sources allows RDC to set the type of radiation the ring will be exposed to. This insures the proper correction values are applied during the calculation process. While we can report dose from our ring dosimeters without the proper correction factors, the readings may not be as accurate.

What do I do if I LOSE MY BADGE?

If you lose a badge, you will need to notify Penn Veterinary Supply and order a replacement badge. You will be charged $20 for each lost badge.

Where should I place an AREA MONITOR?

If you are monitoring occupational dose to employees in a room where the source is located, or a room near a source that radiation could potentially reach, an Area Monitor should be placed at the highest exposure level where an employee may be working. Never place an area monitor on top of a source, or in a high radiation area that would not reflect occupational exposure.

It is the responsibility of the company to prove that the public is not being exposed to more than 100 mrem/year from outside a room/building. If you are monitoring potential exposure to the public, the area monitor should be placed on the outside of the room at the highest exposure level where employees/people are walking, sitting or may have access.

What is the DTN?

DTN stands for the "Dosimter Transaction Number" and is the seven digit, alphanumeric data printed on the front and back labels of each dosimeter. On the ring label, it is the six digit numeric data printed above the barcode. DTNs are unique for every dosimeter issued.

What EXCHANGE PERIODS are offered?

We offer monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly exchange frequencies.

What is the CHARGE FOR ADDING A FETAL BADGE to our account?

A fetal badge is charged at the standard monthly badge rate. A new monthly control badge will also be issued with your clinic's first fetal badge and charged at the standard monthly badge pricing.

How should a FETAL BADGE be worn?

A fetal badge should be worn directly over the fetal area in order to receive the most accurate reading on the dose report.

If I am PREGNANT WITH MULTIPLE FETUSES am I required to wear more than one badge?

No. Only one badge is required for the fetal area.

What is a TLD?

A thermoluminescent dosimeter, or TLD, is a type of radiation dosimeter. A TLD measures ionizing radiation exposure by measuring the amount of visible light emitted from a crystal in the detector when the crystal is heated. The amount of light emitted is dependent upon the radiation exposure.

Why does my badge not NOT READ BELOW 10 MREM?

Badges do read below 10 mrem, but the results are not reported below 10 mrem due to the potential of false results at these very low levels of exposure. The 10 mrem threshold is the level required to be reported by the regulations govering this industry.

What are the BENEFITS OF OUR SERVICE over others on the market?

A trusted partner —We work with RDC, a trusted name in the industry. They understand the threat that radiation poses in your workplace and how important this service is to you. They have in-house experts available during their business hours to assist with questions or concerns.

Commitment to customers —Our partner, RDC, is privately owned, as are we, and many of their employees have been with them for over 20 years. The people working on your account at RDC are familiar with the technology and the industry. You will work with our team for the most part, but they do have a well staffed customer care team, should you need them.

No hidden fees —Our billing is up front and easy to understand. You won't see hidden fees for account maintenance, such as adding, deleting or changing wearers. You can have multiple groups and move wearers between them at no additional charge. You won't be charged for duplicate reports, termination reports or NRC-5 reports, as long as they are generated throughMyRadCare (online management tool).

Convenient billing and payment —Your service will be billed to your Penn Vet account and paid for either under the same terms as your usual purchases, or by a payment arrangement made at the time you request service.

How does the CONTROL BADGE work?

The control badge is used to monitor non-occupational energies that the personnel badge was exposed to. This includes background and other sources of radiation not a part of the workplace radiation exposure. The control badge should be stored in a location away from the radiation source at your facility. Break rooms or receptionist areas are good examples of areas that are typically appropriate.

What is the CHARGE FOR A CONTROL BADGE?

Each account receives one control badge at no cost. Additional control badges are charged at the standard badge cost. A control badge is required for each type of badge you are using.

What is the DSN?

DSN stands for "Dosimeter Serial Number" and is printed beneath the barcode on every dosimeter and ring used by RDC. DSNs are not visible to the customer, but are scnned during the assembly process, along with the DTNs, on their corresponding badge/ring labels. DSNs indicate the completion of the build process and that a dosimeter/ring has been issued.

Can more than one person SHARE A BADGE?

No. These badges are meant for use by one individual at a time so that the dose associated with that badge is assigned to that one individual's records. If multiple individuals use one badge, it is not possible to separate out what dose belongs to each individual, therefore making the reading invalid for the intended user of the badge.

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FAQ Billing & Account Information

I have MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, but want to be BILLED UNDER ONE ACCOUNT.

We can accommodate most situations like this. Each clinic location can be assigned a "group" under the master account.

What are my PAYMENT OPTIONS?

All billing will be done through Penn Veterinary Supply, Inc. using the standard payment terms for your account. Alternative arrangments can be made, including automatic credit card or EFT payment. Customers with account payment terms of COD must arrange an alternate payment method (credit card or EFT) at the time of service request.

What do my DOSIMETRY FEES include?

This service is provided on a subscription basis. Active and current subscribers will receive a shipment of personalized dosimeters each wear period. Your fees will include:

  • Use of badges
  • User-friendly reports based on your desired reporting period
  • Access toMyRadCare (Online account management program)
  • Access to a customer service team at Penn Veterinary Supply, as well as Customer Care and Technical Staff at RDC
  • Account maintenance, including setup, additions, deletions, changes and group maintenance
  • A control badge with each account

Who do I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?

If you have a question related to your account or customer service, please contact Penn Veterinary Supply at 800-233-0210 or e-mailus at [email protected]

If you have a question related to dose reports, please contact RDC at 800-250-3314.

How do I ADD, REMOVE OR CHANGE BADGE WEARERS?

If you need to add, deactivate, or add a fetal badge, please fill out this form.

If you need to reassign a badge, please use this form. This is used when an existing, unused badge is worn by someone else or to assign a blank/spare badge.

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FAQ Dose Reports

If my DOSIMETER WAS LEFT INSIDE A CAR DURING HIGH TEMPERATURES, will the dose be affected?

If the dose is affected at all, the dose will be lower because heat is used to detect/extract the energy from the badge.

What is the EQUIVALENT DOSE?

Equal absorbed doses of different types of ionizing radiation cause different amounts of damage to living tissue. Therefore, the equivalent dose was defined to give an approximate measure of the biological effect of radiation.

Will I be contacted if my DOSE LEVEL IS HIGH?

Yes. Any report containing results that are outside of acceptable limits will be reviewed and the customer will be notified immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.

What is the meaning of MILLIREM (MREM)?

The millirem (mrem) is one thousandth of a rem. A rem is a large dose of radiation, so millirem (mrem) is often used for the dosages commonly experienced, such as the amount of radiation received from medical x-rays and background sources.

What is a RAD?

A rad is a unit of measurement for the amount of radiation absorbed in matter.

Can DOSE REPORT NOTIFICATIONS be sent to MULTIPLE EMAILS?

Yes. You can register multiple emails to your Penn Vet RDC account through our customer service team.

I received a DOSE ON MY CONTROL BADGE. What does that mean?

It is normal to receive a dose on the control dosimeter. It represents the background and transit dose received on the badge from the time it left the facility and until it was returned. The dose recorded on a control dosimeter is usually low, and relatively constant from report to report. A control dosimeter will usually record a small dose (5-20 mrem per month).

Do we need dosimetery badges if we are using a DIGITAL X-RAY MACHINE?

Yes. Digital x-ray machines do not require film, but still produce the same risk of exposure as any other x-ray machine.

What is DOSECHECK and how can I benefit from it?

With DoseCheck, an individual can log in using their badge nubmer and PIN, and see their year-to-date and previous year's dose. This feature is free of charge to customers. This viewis not an accredited format and does not qualify for audit purposes. Its purpose is to enable the user to continuously monitor their exposure whenever they want.

What are the DOSE LIMITS? When should I be concerned about my dose?

The annul dose limits for radiation workers is TEDE < 5,000 mrem. TEDE or Total Effective Dose Equivalent is the sum of internal and external whole body doses.

Who do I contact if I have QUESTIONS ABOUT MY DOSE REPORT?

If you have a question related to dose reports, please contact RDC at 800-250-3314.

If you have a question related to your account or customer service, please contact Penn Veterinary Supply at 800-233-0210 or e-mailus at [email protected]

How long do I need to KEEP A DOSE REPORT?

Reports, paper or electronice, should be kept for as long as your facility is in business.

When and HOW DO I GET MY DOSE REPORT?

Returned badges are read and reports are available online (or mailed) within 10 business days of receipt of the badges. If you are using RDC's online account management system (MyRadCare), an e-mailwill be sent to you when your reports are avaialble for viewing, downloading, and printing.

What is the EFFECTIVE DOSE EQUIVALENT?

The Effective Dose Equivalent is a measure of the cancer risk to a whole organism due to ionizing radiation delivered non-uniformely to part(s) of the body.

What is an ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT?

Environmental Reports are designated for RDC's type 82E and 83E environmental dosimeters. These reports are printed at the end of the regular reports and have the letter "E" at the end of the report number. There is currently no accreditation available for environmental dosimeters and NVLAP accreditation requires all non-accredited dosimeters to be reported on a separate page.

What is an ABNORMAL GLOW CURVE and what causes it to show up on my dose report?

Badges are read by heating internal phosphors until the absorbed energy from ionizing radiation is released in the form of light. The light that is emitted is then converted into dose by a computer algorithm. An image of the light output is stored in or database as a glow curve. If any contaminant, such as oil or debris, has reached the phosphor, it will emit light, giving the glow curve an image that is not typical of ionizing radiation. When this happens, the reading is flagged on the dose report. While it is apparent that a badge has been exposed to a contaminant, it is impossible to determine how much of the light output is from the contamination and how much is from ionizing radiation. The dose is reported based on the total emitted light, but is flagged on the dose report as an 'estimate' due to the abnormal glow curve. This affords the customer the opportunity to evaluate a wearer's history and provide estimated dose if applicable.

What is the ABSORBED DOSE?

The absorbed dose describes the amount of energy that is absorbed by a unit of mass that is irradiated with some type of radiation of some magnitude.

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FAQ MyRadCare

What does MyRadCare cost?

MyRadCare is free to active customers. Your dosimetry account is about keeping people safe. We're happy to help you do that.

How do I ACCESS MYRADCARE?

Click here.

If you are new toMyRadCare, you will need your account number to register. Find that number on a dosimetry report or contact us at 800-233-0210 or [email protected]

What can I DO WITH MYRADCARE?

You can:

  • View and print dose reports on demand

  • Create NRC Form 5 reports in minutes

  • Receive e-mailnotification of shipments, late badges, and published reports

  • View when badges are issued and returned

  • Track shipments

To add, delete, or change a wearer, click here to fill out the form.

 

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