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Penyimpanan Film

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HANDLING AND STORAGE OF FILM

Radiographic film is a sensitive radiation detector

and must be handled accordingly. Improper
handling and storage result in poor radiographs
with artifacts that interfere with diagnosis. For this
reason, it is essential that anyone who handles
radiographic film should be careful not to bend,
crease, or otherwise subject it to rough handling.
Clean hands are a must, and hand lotions should
be avoided.
Creasing of the film before processing produces a line
artifact. Dirt on the hands or on radiographic intensifying
screens produces specular artifacts. In a dry environment,
static electricity can cause characteristic artifacts.
During automatic processing, a worn or dirty transport
system can cause artifacts that are usually identifiable by
their repetition.
Heat and Humidity

Radiographic film is sensitive to the effects of elevated temperature and

humidity, especially for long periods. Heat increases the fog of a
radiograph and therefore reduces contrast. Consequently, radiographic film
should be stored at temperatures lower than approximately 20 °C (68 °F).
With higher storage temperatures, the longer the time of storage, the more
severe is the loss of contrast that results from the increase in fog.

Ideally, radiographic films should be kept in refrigerated storage. Storage

for a year or longer is acceptable if the film is maintained at 10 °C (50 °F).
Film should never be stored near steam pipes or other sources of heat.

Storage under conditions of elevated humidity (e.g., over 60%) also

reduces contrast because of increased fog. Consequently, before use,
radiographic film should be stored in a cool, dry place, ideally in a climate-
controlled environment. Storage in an area that is too dry can be equally
objectionable. Static artifacts are possible when the relative humidity dips
to below about 40%.
Light

Radiographic film must be stored and handled in the dark.

Any light at all can expose the emulsion before processing.
If low-level, diffuse light exposes the film, fog is increased.
If bright light exposes or partially exposes the film, a gross,
obvious artifact is produced.
Control of light is ensured by a well-sealed darkroom and a
light-proof storage bin for film that has been opened but not
clinically exposed. The storage bin should have an
electrical interlock that prevents it from being opened while
the door to the darkroom is ajar or open
Radiation

Ionizing radiation, other than the useful beam, creates an

image artifact by increasing fog and reducing contrast. Film
fog is the dull, uniform optical density that appears if the
film has been inadvertently exposed to light, x-rays, heat,
or humidity.

Darkrooms usually are located next to x-ray rooms and are

lined with lead. However, this is not always necessary. It is
usually acceptable to lead-line only the storage shelf and
the film bin.
Radiographic film is more sensitive after an exposure
than before. This is called sensitization.
It is bad practice to store film and boxes of chemistry in
the same cupboard.

Most hospitals receive film each month and purchase

enough film for 5 weeks of use. The extra few days
beyond monthly use are necessary to cover civil
emergencies that require an unexpectedly large number
of x-ray examinations. Given a 5-week supply schedule
and the first-in, first-out rule, 30 days is a reasonable
maximum storage time for radiographic film.
Film Storage
Following are some important characteristics of radiographic film:

•Contrast. High-contrast film produces black-and-white images. Low-

contrast film produces images with shades of gray.

•Latitude. Latitude is the range of exposure techniques (kVp and mAs)

that produce an acceptable image.

•Speed. Speed is the sensitivity of the screen-film combination to x-rays

and light. Fast screen-film combinations need fewer x-rays to produce a
diagnostic image.

•Crossover. When light is emitted from a radiographic intensifying screen,

it exposes not only the adjacent film emulsion but also the emulsion on the
other side of the base. The light crosses over the base and blurs the
radiographic image.

•Spectral Matching. The x-ray beam does not directly expose the x-ray
film. Radiographic intensifying screens emit light when exposed to x-rays
and the emitted light then exposes the radiographic film. The color of light
emitted must match the response of the film.
Static Discharge
Finger Marks
Backscatter
Light Leak
Radiation Fog
Water Stain
Referensi:

http://www.profstelmark.com/Untitled_21/Lec%207%20Analog%20Imaging%20I.ppt