Page 322 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

306 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Developing Radiographic door to the darkroom closed, the overhead light turned

Film off, and the safety light turned on. To open a new box of
film, carefully remove the lid by pulling the tear strip
and then carefully tearing or cutting the inside wrapper
Manual radiography film is radiation and light sensitive, straight across at the very top. Cutting with a scissor is
so it must be handled properly as it can be ruined before, recommended as the paper doesn’t tear very well and
during, or after the radiograph is taken. This requires you are left with ragged edges. This makes it hard to get
knowledge about the cassettes that house the film dur- film out of the box and back inside if too many are
ing the radiograph, film handling, and storage and how removed. Also, the longer wrapper can be folded over
to use and maintain the processor. and the lid replaced for added protection of the film
Cassettes are expensive pieces of equipment for both inside the safe. If the box is already open, carefully try to
traditional and digital radiography. Traditional film cas- bring just one piece of film out at a time. Pull the
settes hold the film flat against the intensifying screens replacement film slowly out of the storage box to prevent
and prevent exposure of daylight to the unexposed film. static electricity from building up and set it into the cas-
Cassettes are often dropped by personnel or kicked off sette without sliding it across the surface. This is all done
tables by the patient. This can cause the screens inside to with just the safety light on, which is a rose‐colored light,
loosen which in turn will cause film defects. Care must so you may have to use your fingers to find the corners of
be taken when carrying and using them. the cassette. Set the end of the film into the top edge of
To open a cassette, move to the darkroom and set the the cassette and within the corners, then allow the film
cassette with the latches up, onto a dry, clean counter. to settle into the cassette. Check to make sure it is within
Lock the darkroom door, turn the overhead lights off, the walls and then seal the cassette by pushing the back
and turn the safety light on. Traditional film cassettes down until you hear the latches click.
have latches securing the sides tightly together so no Remove the labeling devices from the outside of the
light can penetrate. Push or slide the latches to release cassette, disinfect and return it to the ready area or pass‐
the sides to access the film inside. Film is handled at the through box. A pass‐through box is a lead‐lined, two‐
corners only and should not touch anything other than sided cupboard with exposed and unexposed sides. One
the inside of the cassette. Scratches, static electricity, and door opens into the radiography room and the other
water will cause film defects and can be caused by rough side opens into the darkroom. The latches for the doors
handling. Once the film is out of the cassette, place it on are such that only one side at a time can be opened. This
the entrance tray to the automatic processor ensures accidental exposure of the film doesn’t happen.
(Figure 16.6). You may have to give it a little push into It is a convenient way to manage cassettes as well. You
the machine until the rollers catch it and take it in. While always know which cassettes are available for use because
the exposed film is moving through the processor refill they are stored on the unexposed side.
the cassette. By this time the automatic film processor has deliv-
Remember radiograph film is light and pressure ered the developed radiograph and if the film bin and
sensitive. Any work with film must be in the darkroom any open cassettes are filled and closed the overhead
with the door shut and locked, and the safety light on. light may be turned on. Attach the film to a view box
Film boxes are stored on edge inside a light‐proof safe and then alert the veterinarian that it is ready for view-
inside the darkroom. The safe is only opened with the ing. Record any information in the radiograph log,
patient’s record, and treatment board. Clean the radi-
ography table off with paper towels and spray disinfec-
tant. Check the automatic processor for enough
developer and fixer for subsequent radiographs. Turn
the safety light off in the darkroom and leave the door
open as you leave.

Exploration

Go into the darkroom at your school or clinic.
Close the door, turn off the overhead lights, and
turn on the safety light. Start counting seconds.
How long did it take your eyes to adjust to the red
light enough so that you could see your hands?
FIGURE 16.6 Automatic processor.