What is the minimum source-to-table top distance for mobile fluoroscopic equipment?

The minimum source-to-table top distance for mobile fluoroscopic equipment is crucial for ensuring patient and staff safety by minimizing the dose of radiation exposure. In this context, a distance of 15 cm is recommended to reduce the radiation intensity that reaches the patient or staff from the x-ray source.

When mobile fluoroscopy is performed, the closer the x-ray tube is to the patient or table, the higher the radiation exposure due to the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of radiation decreases with the square of the distance from the source. By maintaining a minimum distance of 15 cm, the risks associated with radiation exposure are effectively mitigated, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enhancing protection for both the patient and healthcare providers involved in the procedure.

This standard is backed by health and safety regulations and guidelines that highlight the importance of optimal positioning of radiation sources, especially in dynamic settings like mobile fluoroscopy, where equipment might be in constant motion.