Due to standards set forth by the Joint Commission, health care organizations must perform annual inspections on medical equipment, including lead aprons. SHC, SCH and VAPAHCS are responsible for lead apron inspection and inventory.
The recommended apron inspection policy is as follows:
- Annually perform a visual and tactile inspection
- Look for visible damage (wear and tear) and feel for sagging and deformities.
In cases of questionable condition, one can choose to use fluoroscopy or radiography to look for holes and cracks.
- During fluoroscopic examination, use manual settings and low technique factors (e.g. 80 kVp). Do not use the automatic brightness control, as this will drive the tube current and high voltage up, resulting in unnecessary radiation exposure to personnel and wear on the tube. Lead aprons can also be examined radiographically.
Fluoroscopic lead aprons are to be discarded if inspections determine:
- A defect great than 15 square mm found on parts of the apron shielding a critical organ (e.g., chest, pelvic area).
- A defect greater than 670 square mm along the seam, in overlapped areas, or on the back of the lead apron.
- Thyroid shields with defects greater than 11 square mm.
