Dosimetry studies to personnel operating portable image amplifiers.

In hip-pinning procedures performed in the operating room, using conventional radiographic equipment, 15 to 30 films are taken in a 45 to 90 min period while for hip-resection procedures 15 to 50 films are taken in 2 to 4 hr. If a portable image amplifier is used in place of the conventional equipment, a 30 to 50% reduction of exposure to personnel is found while the total operating room time is reduced by about 50%. Recommendations to increase safety standards for both patient and personnel are given. (UK)