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Healthcare personnel in medical imaging who may be exposed to radiation need wear radiation protection glasses and other protective clothing and accessories.

Why Radiation Protection Glasses Are Important

Radiologists and others who work in the medical imaging environment are advised to wear radiation protection glasses to protect their eyes from the effects of damaging radiation. Along with the risk of severe damage to the eyes, eye exposure to radiation without adequate protection may also put healthcare workers at the risk of developing career-shortening injuries or illnesses over time.

Radiation safety requires covering multiple body parts, including the eyes, to prevent radiation exposure. Protecting the eyes is essential since radiation can harm the tissues in your eyes. When working in radiology, protecting every part of your body from potential exposure is necessary. Often, radiologists also wear side shields for the eyes, thyroid shields, lead gloves and a protective apron.

How Radiation can Harm Your Vision

The radiation effect on the eye can be extensive since it can negatively impact the iris, sclera, conjunctiva and the blood vessels of the retina. Permanent damage to the lens of the eye can take place with even a small dose of radiation. Since healthcare workers in medical imaging may be continually exposed to radiation, wearing protective clothing is imperative.

The lens is the part of the eye where cataracts can form. A low dose of radiation can lead to the development of abnormal cells in the lens, and over time, these cells can mutate, causing cell death. Eye radiation side effects under these circumstances include the lens of the eyes becoming cloudy and developing cataracts.

Research shows that radiation exposure to the eyes can also increase light-scattering intensities or LSIs, which can lead to a higher risk of cataracts. While cataracts can be corrected and removed if they do develop, prevention is a much better path forward. Wearing appropriate radiation protection eyewear can significantly reduce such risks.

Lead Glasses Keep You Safe

Lead glasses are the best choice for radiation protective eyewear because they reduce the impact of radiation exposure on the eye lenses. Wearing lead glasses will prevent a majority of damaging radiation from reaching the eyes. In fact, in one study, leaded glasses decreased the radiation dose rate on the eye lens by as much as 5-10 times.* This shows the importance of radiation protection glasses in reducing the radiation dose rate. Researchers advise radiology specialists to wear comfortable lead glasses to protect their eyes.

Leaded glasses will attenuate radiation passing through the lenses of the eyewear and keep your eyes safe. The front lens of the eyewear should be at least 0.5mm or 0.6mm Pb as this provides the greatest protection to weight ratio, ensuring that the wearer will not be distracted from the procedure at hand by glasses that are too heavy. Side lenses should be at least 0.25 mm Pb. Side protection from x-ray exposure will also prevent eye problems. If you are wearing leaded protective clothing to cover other parts of your body, you will need to wear lead glasses as well.

Where Anti-Radiation Goggles Should Be Used

Even though healthcare workers are not in the main path of the X-ray, the particles from X-rays can scatter at several angles, which means technicians outside of the direct path can still be exposed. Therefore, when working in a medical imaging setting, such as interventional radiology, operating rooms or the cardiac cath lab, it is essential to protect your eyes by wearing radiation protection glasses.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Radiation Protection Glasses

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing radiation protection glasses. You’ll need to look at the level of protection your lead glasses or prescription lead glasses provide. You’ll also want eyewear that takes peripheral vision into account.

The protective eyewear should also be comfortable to wear. Your radiation protection glasses will need to fit well to reduce radiation exposure effectively. These glasses should not slide down your nose when you move your head.

When selecting your glasses, consider the amount of pressure on your nose or under your eyes. Too much pressure means the glasses may not be suitable to wear all day. The build quality of the protective eyeglasses is also important, as they should be durable in case of falls and should be able to resist scratches as well.

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Why Lead Protective Eyewear Is the Best Choice

Lead based barrier technologies that include protective eyewear are the best choice in keeping your eyes safe from radiation exposure. Lead-protective eyewear is composed of the desired material for radiation protection. Lead is very effective in protecting people from radiation exposure because it is a dense metal. It reduces the effects of X-rays and gamma rays. Lead-based radiation protection glasses are essential for medical professionals to keep their eyes safe from radiation exposure.

* Comparing strategies for operator eye protection in the interventional radiology suite.
Thornton RH, Dauer LT, Altamirano JP, Alvarado KJ, St Germain J, Solomon SB J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2010 Nov; 21(11):1703-7.

Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, has always been the first line of defense for healthcare workers around the globe. However, with the spread of COVID-19, this essential tool for preventing the spread of disease has become more vital for protecting the general public.

There are a lot of questions surrounding PPE kits. And, with all of the constantly evolving information on personal health and safety, COVID-19, and various methods of preventing the spread of disease, it can be difficult to find concise, solid answers to your questions. In this article, we hope to solve that issue by presenting you with some of the most frequently asked questions about PPE and providing evidence-based answers, so you can make the right decision for your personal safety.

What is Personal Protective Equipment?

PPE gear includes masks, gloves, face shields, gowns, aprons and shoe covers that are used to prevent the spread of disease. They work by covering the skin, eyes, nose and mouth so that pathogens (germs, viruses and the like) are unable to make the leap from person to person.

The CDC is constantly updating its recommendations for PPE for use in non-medical environments. Masks are recommended for personal day-to-day use in low-risk environments, though healthcare workers often need additional PPE as they are in an environment where infection is more likely.

How Do I Know if PPE Is Safe and Effective?

The FDA has created a series of regulations to ensure personal protective equipment is safe and effective. For PPE, these standards may include fluid resistance, leak protection, filtering capacity or resistance to tears and snags. There are specific standards set for various types of equipment so that manufacturers have a reliable guide on the FDA’s expectations.

Though this equipment has become more popular for personal use due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to note that PPE creates a barrier that is not specific to any particular disease. Therefore, you are able to protect yourself from a variety of airborne pathogens with PPE.

Where Can I Buy PPE?

Medical supply companies like AADCO are offering their equipment to the public for purchase, ensuring you get PPE that is in line with FDA regulations. Many pharmacies, grocery stores, and small businesses also sell basic PPE that is sufficient for use in low-risk environments.

Should I Buy Disposable PPE or Reusable PPE?

There are many reusable face coverings on the market that are being sold as PPE. However, it is important to note that FDA regulations only allow for some personal protective equipment to be reusable. Goggles, face shields and some types of respirators are able to be decontaminated and reused.

However, the most common PPE item for public use is the surgical mask. It’s important to note that surgical masks should not be reused, and are considered contaminated after coming into contact with fluids or infectious materials (such as contaminated breath droplets from an ill person). Contaminated masks, safety gloves, aprons and the like should be safely disposed of immediately. If you have questions about reusing ppe materials, head to the CDC website for a list of approved items.

Can I Wash Disposable PPE?

In short, no. Only PPE that is deemed reusable (such as face shields, goggles and certain respirators) can be disinfected and worn again. All disposable PPE must be safely disposed of after coming into contact with infectious materials (this includes breath droplets from sick or potentially sick individuals). Washing disposable PPE can cause it to wear down, snag or tear — which can render it ineffective. Washing may also not be sufficient to decontaminate the equipment, leading to possible infection.

What Is the Best PPE to Buy? How Can I Best Protect Myself?

The kind of PPE that is appropriate for you is determined by your situation. PPE is intended to be used in conjunction with hand washing, decontamination, and other best health practices to prevent the spread of disease. In low-risk environments, lighter levels of protection can be worn. If you are frequently in contact with sick individuals, as a healthcare worker or something similar, then more layers may need to be worn.

You can determine how effective a particular PPE item is by determining how thoroughly it has been tested. Check the NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment Information database for more information on standards for particular items.

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AADCO Has the Personal Protective Equipment to Keep You Safe

If you are looking to keep yourself and others safe from disease, including COVID-19, it’s smart to invest in some good personal protective equipment and disinfectants. Check out AADCO for all of your radiation PPE.

Radiation safety is crucial. Regular exposure to radiation can lead to serious medical conditions. The eye is particularly susceptible to the dangers presented by radiation and requires special attention. Medical facilities and their staff must find the best radiation safety glasses to prevent serious career-shortening injuries. Read on to learn about the importance of radiation protection eyewear and how to choose radiation glasses that meet your needs.

Why Are Lead Glasses Necessary?

Radiation safety glasses are an important component of radiation protection practices. Based on the recommended standards of the International and National Conferences on Radiation Protection, the need for such precautions is clear cut. The conferences recommend that annual radiation exposure for eyes be limited to 15 RADs, but some estimates indicate that practitioners are exposed to levels as high as 36 RADs annually. The inherent dangers become obvious when you consider the conferences’ conclusion that cataract formation can occur from a cumulative dose between 200 and 500 RADs. Lead glasses play an important role in decreasing exposure to radiation.

How Do Radiation Safety Glasses Work?

The best radiation safety glasses will efficiently and reliably protect your eyes from harmful radiation. The lenses in protective eyewear absorb the radiation and scatter it away from the eye. Radiation exposure can be reduced by up to 98% with the use of lead safety glasses.

Who Should Wear Radiation Safety Glasses?

Radiation eyewear is crucial in a wide range of circumstances. After all, particle accelerators, irradiators, X-rays, radiographs and electron microscopes all emit radiation, and those are just a few examples. Lead safety glasses can be found in settings ranging from dentist offices to fluoroscopy departments to cath labs and more. Professionals like radiologists, dental hygienists and even pilots turn to radiation safety glasses for protection. Depending on the procedure, patients also can benefit from using protective eyewear.

What to Look For in Radiation Eyewear

Shopping for lead glasses is like shopping for any other type of eyeglasses. But, considering what’s at stake, you want to take even more care in selecting the best radiation safety glasses for your circumstances. A clear understanding of your needs is a must. You should browse carefully through the possible options and narrow your choices down based on your specific requirements. Testing your radiation safety glasses after purchase can help ensure you’ve got the right eye protection. Other factors to consider include:

1. Type of Exposure

The radiation safety glasses you need depend on the type of radiation exposure you’re subjected to. All-around exposure may require glasses with side shields, while straight-on exposure may allow the selection of a more simple type of lead safety eyewear.

2. Level of Protection

Because of lead’s inherent dangers, true lead-lined glasses are rare. Instead, the lenses are made of durable material with properties that mimic the results of lead. You’ll want a lead equivalency rating of at least 0.5 mm in the lenses and at least 0.25 in the side shields. Some options, like RayShield® Max Protection SportsView Glasses, have lenses with 0.75 lead equivalency.

3. Lens Quality

Optically correct lenses are crucial. You need to be able to see clearly through your radiation eyewear. A commitment to highly quality-controlled manufacturing processes will ensure that your vision is not obscured. An option for prescription lenses, as with RayShield® Dual Protector X-Ray Glasses, can also be useful.

4. Fit

Radiation safety glasses that offer a snug fit against your face can provide additional protection for your eyes. You’ll want to look for eyeglasses that fit comfortably on your nose, with earpieces that rest on or curve around your ears. An online retailer that provides measurements for the protective eyewear it sells can help ensure you order the best-fitting glasses.

5. Style

While protection from radiation exposure is paramount, style is still something to consider in selecting radiation safety glasses. It makes sense to find a style you’re comfortable with for something that you’ll be wearing for large parts of every day.

How to Identify the Best Radiation Safety Glasses Provider

You want a company with a proven traffic record in producing dependable, high-quality lead glasses. A company-wide commitment to customer service is another must. Look at testimonials to gauge the provider’s overall track record.

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Order Your Radiation Safety Glasses from AADCO Medical

AADCO Medical is the acknowledged leader in lead glasses. We have years of experience in delivering the fit, comfort, style and protection that you expect from your protective eyewear. Now that you know how to choose radiation glasses, start shopping today for the best radiation safety glasses that meet your needs.

As a healthcare worker, you face unique, potentially dangerous situations every day. While there are some issues that you can’t avoid, when it comes to your eyesight and your health, you shouldn’t be willing to take chances. Protective eyewear from AADCO Medical can assist you in protecting the health of your eyes and avoid easily preventable injury or illness. 

Several different types of safety glasses in healthcare are used for specific jobs or situations. Each type has unique features and provides different levels of protection to wearers. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most popular types of protective glasses for medical workers from AADCO Medical.

Radiation Protective Eyewear

One of the most popular options when looking at different types of eyewear are radiation protective glasses. This form of protective eyewear is designed to protect the side of your eyes, along with the front against radiation. Your eyes are some of the most sensitive parts of your body, protection against the harmful effects of radiation is key. A proper pair of radiation protective glasses should come with standard anti-fog, shatterproof and impact-resistant frames, and lenses. Radiation glasses with side shields have been designed to protect you, alongside other forms of PPE such as radiation aprons, during tests where you may otherwise be exposed. Radiation glasses aren’t disposable and can be outfitted to meet prescription requirements, making them one of the most affordable types of protective glasses available today.

Safety Goggles

One of the best forms of protective eyewear is safety goggles – providing complete coverage of eyes and eye sockets. Safety goggles function as a sealed shield from various liquids and other items, giving you form-fitting protection from all angles.

If you are in an area where your job may subject you to fluid or chemical splashes, protective eye goggles resist these impacts by fitting tightly to your face and not allowing the fluid to reach the eyes. Safety goggles are designed to cover your eyes and eye sockets and can be worn over your traditional prescription lenses. 
If you need protection from airborne particles or vapor, this protective eyewear is an excellent option for modern healthcare workers in the hospital who require medical eye protection at high levels.

Face Shields

While safety goggles function as a complete form of protection for the eyes alone, there are other times when safety goggles are not the ideal solution for full-face coverage. In these cases, medical eye shields or full-face shields may be the types of eyewear best suited for the situation.
When wearing a full-face shield, you have complete protection from fluids and other potential issues you may encounter when on the job – no matter the situation. If you want to ensure superior protection, it is good to wear a medical eye shield along with secondary protection, such as other types of protective eyewear such as safety glasses or goggles. When it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE), you should consider this option in scenarios that require the maximum level of medical eye protection.

Specialty Protective Eyewear

X-ray and other medical imaging equipment have become a critical part of the medical industry. Having specialty eye protection options such as Radiation Protective Eyewear is essential for healthcare workers using this type of technology. The human eyes are sensitive and vulnerable to radiation.

Wearing proper protective eyewear to combat radiation is critical. At AADCO Medical, you can find various, high-quality radiation protective eyewear options that meet the needs of medical imaging providers. Be sure to learn about the hazards you will be exposed to ahead of time to find the proper protective eyewear for the situation.

Protect Your Eyes in a Medical Setting with AADCO Medical

Protective eyeglasses provide eye protection from an array of hazards in a range of medical situations. If you want to ensure your eyes are adequately protected, you must have the correct type of eyewear for your job. Staying cautious ensures your eyes will not be exposed to damaging elements and prevent the development of vision issues in the future. Being informed will help ensure you remain protected in any setting. AADCO Medical provides top-quality medical eye protection for healthcare workers so they can stay at the top of their game and continue doing the work that matters the most. Shop AADCO Medical today – or, if you have any questions about our medical eye shields or face shields, talk to a representative in your area today. We’re always ready to help.

We’re living in unprecedented times where Covid-19 has established its roots globally.

Providing enough quality PPE for health workers amidst this pandemic is something all countries worldwide strive to achieve. The safety of our frontline health workers as they work to control these infections is a priority.

Read on to learn more about the importance of infection control precautions, different types of PPE and best practices in the use of personal protective equipment in healthcare.

What Exactly Is PPE in Healthcare?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective gear, clothing, goggles, helmets, or other equipment or garments, worn for protection against diseases, or injuries.

Standard precautions in healthcare include creating a wall of protection against bacterial/viral infections, and body fluids during patient care. Using these precautions protects an individual’s skin, eyes, nose, or mouth from infection.

Healthcare workers and other professionals use infection control practices to reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings. This prevention strategy can be used in conjunction with other measures such as hand washing and meticulous cleaning. The following guide will provide information on PPE for infection control precautions, including what it is and why it’s important.

Types of Personal Protective Equipment

There are several types of PPE available for use in infection control. When sourcing PPE from suppliers, they should be able to provide you with all supporting documentation and certification information on each specialized item you need.

Health experts recommend involving potential PPE end users in the equipment selection process. It is also recommended, where possible, to provide more than one model to them.

Various types of PPE are available for all parts of the body, including:

• Head/scalp protection
• Eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Respiratory protection
• Foot/leg protection
• Hand/arm protection
• Body protection
• Height/access protection 

1. Face Masks

Respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses, mainly target the lower and upper respiratory tracts. Therefore, using face masks is essential and should be a priority in healthcare.

Face masks protect the airway from the particulate matter that comes from aerosols or droplets, preventing human infection.

While masks come in different types, there are two medical types recommended for various health workers in hospitals or community settings. Based on your work environment, you may use:

3-Ply Medical Mask

This type of medical mask is one that’s fluid-resistant and disposable. It works to protect the wearer from droplets of infectious matter emitted during sneezing, coughing, or talking.

N-95 Respirator Mask

An N-95 respirator mask is a high-quality protective device with high filtration efficiency for airborne materials. Single-use respirators are made from polyester fibers to prevent at least 95% of tiny airborne particles from reaching the end user’s nose and mouth.

These masks are designed to achieve a very close facial fit, providing the wearer with the air seal necessary for thorough protection.

N-95 are the most effective and highly sought-after masks for health workers treating Covid-19 infections.

2. Gloves

Gloves are vital PPE and a standard infection control precaution. That’s because with exposed hands, an individual may touch a surface or object contaminated by a covid-19 infected patient, and upon subsequently touching their nose, eyes, or mouth, expose themselves to the virus.

For this reason, health workers are advised to use gloves when interacting with infected patients. Wearing sterile gloves is essential, and after use, they should be disposed of properly and immediately, ensuring the outer part of the glove doesn’t come into contact with the skin.

Below are types of gloves you can use for infection control:

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are medical-grade gloves made from synthetic fiber. They’re latex-free and considered more superior to latex in terms of general durability and puncture resistance.

They also resist chemicals, including disinfectants such as chlorine, and are ideal for health workers with latex allergy concerns.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are medical gloves made from latex material.

Unfortunately, latex gloves or natural rubber latex gloves, unlike nitrile gloves, pose a high risk of allergy among health workers. For this reason, we don’t highly recommend them.

3. Gowns/Coverall/Aprons

Gowns/coverall/aprons are protective clothing designed to cover the wearer’s whole body, including the lower legs and back. Some cover the feet and head too.

This type of PPE protects healthcare providers from exposure to the virus that may be in splashes or droplets.

Medical/isolation plastic disposable gowns are not designed to provide continuous protection of the whole body. For example, some have openings at the back, such that they cover the wearer up to the mid-calf.

WHO recommends using a clean, non-sterile, long-sleeved gown as an infection control precaution. Although it deems the use of impermeable aprons and boots unnecessary, the shortage of PPE across the globe has resulted in private and public health workers using disposable plastic aprons and cover-alls as alternatives.

4. Face Shield and Goggles

Face shields and goggles are vital PPE because they protect the eyes or face from airborne contaminants. 

When an infected individual sneezes or coughs, it generates droplets. Face shields and goggles prevent these droplets from contaminating the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth of the exposed frontline health worker. This can also occur during aerosol-producing procedures done in a clinical setting.

5. Head Covers

If you’re using a coverall, it will usually cover your head. Nevertheless, those using gowns may also require a headcover to shield their head and neck while interacting with infected patients.

6. Shoe Covers

Shoe covers are used to cover health personnel’s shoes to facilitate decontamination and personal protection. To enhance the effectiveness of shoe covers, they’re made from impermeable fabric.

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(NOTE: This content section below was sourced from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/using-ppe.html)

Guide to Putting On PPE for Infection Prevention and Control Precautions

To put on your PPE, follow these simple steps:

• Rub your hands for 20-30 seconds with an alcohol-based hand rub, or wash your hands with soap and water for 40-60 seconds.
• Carefully put on your gown.
• Wear on the medical mask
• Put on your face shield or goggles for your face protection.
• Finally, you can now put on your gloves, making sure they cover the cuff of the gown.

A Guide For Taking Off Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before you can start removing your PPE, ensure that infectious waste containers are available for safe PPE disposal. Additionally, there should be separate containers available for reusable equipment.

To take off the PPE, follow these steps:

• Remove the gloves without touching their outer surfaces with your bare hands.
• Take off the gown. Make sure to pull the gown away from your body and be careful not to contaminate your clothes in the process. Dispose of the gown safely.
• Perform hand hygiene by rubbing your hands with alcohol-based sanitizer for 20 to 30 seconds, or wash them with water and soap for 40 to 60 seconds.
• Now take off the mask carefully from the straps to avoid touching it.
• Finally, perform hand hygiene once more. Rub your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash with soap and water.

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Using Personal Protective Equipment Take Away

PPE is essential for frontline healthcare workers every day but especially in the current day.  We have kept the wellness of everyone from frontline health workers to ordinary individuals in mind and stocked up on a variety of PPE. Visit our website to find radiation PPE.