Tennessee X-Ray Machine Surveys

In the State of Tennessee, x-ray machines are regulated by the Division of Radiological Health under the State Regulations for Protection Against Radiation (SRPAR) 0.400-20 Chapters 04 through 12 at publications.tnsos.com. The specific chapters that regulate x-ray machine possession and use are Chapters 04, 05, 06, 09 and 10.

Of unique interest SRPAR 0400-20-10.24 requires, in part, that the owner or person having possession of any x-ray machine or accelerator, shall register such machines within 10 days after acquisition of each machine and that an annual registration fee must be paid January 1. Those registration fees are outlined in the table below:

Annual Fee Savings
‍
SRPAR 0400-10-10.24 (3)(d) allows the registrant to qualify for an 82% REDUCTION in these annual fees, if the registrant uses the services of a private inspector that has been qualified by the State of Tennessee to perform x-ray machine inspections.Southeast Radiation Services is approved by the State of Tennessee to perform x-ray machine inspections for all Class I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII x-ray machines and accelerators. Southeast Radiation Services has designed their x-ray inspection services so that the State of Tennessee X-Ray Registrant can save anywhere from 29% up to 62% off their annual State registration fees. (Actual savings depends on tube classification).

New Equipment

All newly installed machines must be inspected within 3 months of installation.

Machine Class

III

VII

Inspection Frequency

Every 4 Years

Every 2 Years

Every Year

Every 2 Years

Every Year

Other Benefits of Using a Private Inspector:

Scheduling Flexibility:
In addition to a cost savings on the annual registration fee, Tennessee x-ray machine registrants that use Southeast Radiation Services for their x-ray machine inspections gain the ability to schedule their inspection so that it does not interfere with their work schedule. The State of Tennessee is required by their regulations to perform unannounced inspections and is not required to work with your busy schedule. The only requirement for scheduling is that the inspection must occur within the regulated frequency (see the table below for required inspection frequencies by Class of x-ray tube) and that each inspection be performed plus or minus thirty (30) days of the anniversary of the previous inspection. Southeast Radiation Services will work with you to schedule the inspection based upon your needs.

Registration Assistance:
Registration of newly installed units is required by SRPAR within 10 days of installation. It is the responsibility of the possessor to ensure that this registration is accurate and within the specified time-frame- NOT THE INSTALLATION COMPANY. Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with this registration to ensure the registration is accurate and timely.

Radiation Safety Program Development:
Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with the development and implementation including:

Radiation Safety Training for x-ray users
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Training
Radiation Safety Procedure development
Personnel Radiation monitoring program (including dosimeter exemption calculations)
As Low As Reasonably Achievable program development
Radiation Safety Program Audits

Georgia X-Ray Machine Surveys

In the State of Georgia, x-ray machines are regulated by The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) Healthcare Facility Regulation Division. Their website can be found at: dchgeorgia.gov. The Rules and Regulations for X-rays can be found at: rules.sos.state.ga.us.

The regulations require all users of x-ray machines are required to register with the Department prior to the operation of x-ray equipment in Georgia. The application package for this registration can be found at: forms.dch.georgia.gov or you can use their on-line portal found at: forms.dch.georgia.gov/Forms/xrayv2.

Further each registered facility is required to have an inspection performed prior to any operation of x-ray equipment after a new installation or machine relocation.

Inspections:
Per the regulations, individuals who have been qualified by the Department can perform initial inspections instead of a State of Georgia inspector. Currently the State of Georgia has very few State inspectors that cover the entire State, which can delay the initial inspection for as much as six to eight weeks. To avoid these costly delays, Georgia X-ray registrants may use a qualified individual to perform and submit the initial required inspections, as described in the above referenced regulations.

Southeast Radiation Services is approved by the State of Georgia to perform the required inspections of Georgia x-ray machines and can help you meet your operation requirements.

Other Benefits of Using a Private Inspector:

‍Scheduling Flexibility:
When you employ Southeast Radiation Services for your inspection needs, we work around your schedule. You can have us come in to inspect your units when your schedule is clear. No working patient schedules or workloads around to accommodate our inspection. We will work with you to ensure the minimum interruption of your busy work schedule.

Registration Assistance:
It is the responsibility of the possessor to ensure that this registration is accurate and within the specified time-frame- NOT THE INSTALLATION COMPANY. Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with this registration to ensure the registration is accurate and timely.

Radiation Safety Program Development: Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with the development and implementation including:

Radiation Safety Training for x-ray users
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Training
Radiation Safety Procedure development
Personnel Radiation monitoring program (including dosimeter exemption calculations)
As Low As Reasonably Achievable program development
Radiation Safety Program Audits

Virginia X-Ray Machine Surveys

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, x-ray machines are regulated by the Virginia department of Health Office of Radiological Health under the Virginia Administrative Code found at law.lis.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Office of Radiological Health C-ray Program Website contains even more information and can be found at: vdh.virginia.gov.

Private Inspectors: Per the Office of Radiological Health website on x-ray machine inspections (vdh.virginia.gov):

“Private Inspectors conduct X-ray machine safety inspections to ensure the use of X-ray producing machines and the facility's operational procedures conform with the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) regulations. The information contained in the inspection reports that the Private Inspectors provide VDH is used to determine whether a machine is certified for use in the healing arts. There are over 19,000 X-ray machines registered with VDH and each machine used in the healing arts must be periodically inspected. VDH has a limited number of inspectors available to conduct X-ray machine inspections. Much of a VDH inspector's time is spent following up on reported non-compliances, performing special inspections for the U.S. Food and Drug Administraton and conducting enforcement actions. Private Inspectors provide a valuable service to ensure that X-ray machine owners can meet their obligation to have their X-ray machines inspected and certified for use.

”Additionally, from the Office of Radiological Health FAQ webpage (vdh.virginia.gov):

“Can the State perform an x-ray inspection? Yes. The State of Virginia can perform an x-ray inspection and charge a fee when it does? We prefer that the inspection be conducted by the private sector. See here.

So why should you use Southeast Radiation Services to meet your x-ray Virginia inspection needs? Saving Money - up to 50%

Other Benefits of Using a Private Inspector:
‍
Scheduling Flexibility:
Medical, osteopathic, chiropractic machines and X-ray machines in hospitals must be inspected every year. Dental, podiatry and veterinary units must be inspected every three (3) years. Bone Densitometry machines are also inspected every three years. Note: podiatry and dental machines in a hospital are every three years. When you employ Southeast Radiation Services for your inspection needs, we work around your schedule. You can have us come in to inspect your units when your schedule is clear. No working patient schedules or workloads around to accommodate our inspection. We will work with you to ensure the minimum interruption of your busy work schedule. Newly installed units must be inspected within 30 days of installation and completed within 60 days.

Registration Assistance:
Registration of newly installed units is required within 30 days of installation. It is the responsibility of the possessor to ensure that this registration is accurate and within the specified time-frame- NOT THE INSTALLATION COMPANY. Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with this registration to ensure the registration is accurate and timely.

Radiation Safety Program Development:
Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with the development and implementation including:

Radiation Safety Training for x-ray users
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Training
Radiation Safety Procedure development
Personnel Radiation monitoring program (including dosimeter exemption calculations)
As Low As Reasonably Achievable program development
Radiation Safety Program Audits

Kentucky X-Ray Machine Surveys

In the State Kentucky X-ray machines are regulated by the Radiological Health Branch. Their website can be found at: chfs.ky.gov and their regulations can be found at: apps.legislature.ky.gov. Although Kentucky regulations do not have a provision to allow for inspections to be performed by private inspector instead of the State, they do have requirements for registrants and licensees to:

Develop and implement a radiation safety program commensurate with the scope of the radiation hazard
Use procedure and engineering controls based on sound radiation safety principles to maintain doses from radiation As ow As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA):
Annually review (audit) the radiation protection program for content and implementation:
Make Surveys that are necessary to comply with the administrative regulations:
Radiation Safety Training of operators

Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with these tasks.

Additionally, as a good health physics practice there are specific operating requirements for how radiation producing equipment operate that should be tested periodically (i.e. diagnostic machine testing, industrial x-ray surveys). Southeast Radiation Services can provide you with this testing.

Registration Assistance:
Kentucky requires that all individuals that propose to operate a radiation producing machine be pre-registered with the State of Kentucky prior to the installation of the x-ray unit and that newly installed units be registered with the State within 10 days of installation. It is the responsibility of the possessor to ensure that this registration is accurate and within the specified time-frame- NOT THE INSTALLATION COMPANY. Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with this pre-registration and registration to ensure that it is accurate and timely.

Minnesota X-Ray Machine Surveys

In the State of Minnesota X-ray machines are regulated by the Department of Health Radiation Control. Their website can be found at: health.state.mn.us and their regulations can be found at: revisor.mn.gov.

State of Minnesota regulations require that equipment have performance evaluations done on a periodic frequency, either every year or every two years depending on the type of X-ray machine.

Registration Assistance:
Registration of newly installed units is required within 30 days of installation. It is the responsibility of the possessor to ensure that this registration is accurate and within the specified time-frame- NOT THE INSTALLATION COMPANY. Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with this registration to ensure the registration is accurate and timely.

Radiation Safety Program Development:
Southeast Radiation Services can assist you with the development and implementation including:

Radiation Safety Training for x-ray users
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Training
Radiation Safety Procedure development
Personnel Radiation monitoring program (including dosimeter exemption calculations)
As Low As Reasonably Achievable program development
Radiation Safety Program Audits

What Our Clients Say

Southeast Radiation Services has been a trusted partner and has provided expert advice on radiation safety and regulatory matters. I would highly recommend engaging them for all of your radiation safety needs.

Amanda Ison

President, Nucleon Power, Inc.

Chris is very professional. We have been using him for several years. He is very knowledgeable and always provides the required paperwork with detailed instructions. I would recommend him to any office.

B. Krueger

Practice Manager, True Dental

Chris Millsaps with Southeast Radiation Services has been inspecting my x-ray equipment for several years now. He is very efficient, easy to get a hold of, prompt and professional. He organizes my reports for the state and makes it very easy to file them. He is very knowledgeable and good at what he does. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Marsha Hickey

Dentist, Downtown Dental Knoxville

Southeast Radiation Services is our go-to for all of our new equipment inspections and regular maintenance. Their response time and attention to detail is amazing and communicating with them is easy. As far as paperwork goes, they give step by step information making my to-do list as simple as possible. I look forward to the growth of this company, and using their services and skills for years to come!

Logan Rooney, B.S. RT(R)

Radiology Supervisor | RSO, Knoxville Orthopaedic Surgery Center

Our facility has used Southeast Radiation Services as our Health Physicist for many years. Chris is very knowledgeable and friendly. His expertise has been a great asset to our facility. From inspecting incoming Radiology equipment to yearly inspections we have been very pleased. His honest, professional and reasonable services are invaluable.

Faith L. Miller, RT(R)(M)

Materials Manager, Staff Radiology Technologist, Knoxville Orthopaedic Surgery Center

We have used Southeast Radiation Services to inspect our dental x-ray equipment for several years. I’ve found Chris to always be prompt and professional. His inspections are thorough and efficient, providing all the necessary paperwork for my records, as well as those that are to be sent to the state. He provides detailed explanations and directions before and after the inspections. Chris helps us keep up to date and in compliance with all state regulations and radiation protocol. Thanks, Chris!

Dr. Randa Colbert

Dental Hygiene Program Director, Tennessee Wesleyan University

We’ve worked with Chris Millsaps at Southeast Radiation Services for several years. He has been important to our radiation safety program, providing inspections and guidance. He has been a huge help with documents for the state. I have learned from Chris and appreciate his readiness to be of service to our company.

Shonna Cole RSO

Denso Manufacturing Tennessee

Mr. Millsaps with Southeast Radiation Services is truly a joy to work with. He communicates quickly and clearly, is prompt, and the turnaround time between the services he provides and the paperwork that follows is always brief. When I was new in my position, I asked him more questions than was fair, and he always helped me through the issues I was encountering. His insight and experience is valuable and his knowledge of the field has saved us from making mistakes and spending time and money more than once. I love knowing that when we set an appointment, he'll be on time and prepared for whatever potential problems that could arise. He and his services have made my life infinitely easier, and I'm thankful for our working relationship.

Erica Spiva

Compliance Specialist, Remote Area Medical

My company, Miratech, Knoxville, LLC, has been utilizing the advantages of Southeast Radiation Services for more than a decade. Chris Millsaps is not only knowledgeable, but also projects a casual-professional attitude, and keeps everyone relaxed and comfortable during training sessions. He also knows many of the people who work in the State office, and has prevented me/us from having any issues with rules transgressions, or paperwork shortages. He also sends reminders when it is time for a new safety class. In short, he makes our lives easier with his services.

Wesley Loftis

QA Analyst, Miratech, Knoxville LLC

Knoxville Orthopedic Center depends on the knowledge, quality, and service of Southeastern Radiation Services. Chris has always been available for questions regarding our radiation compliance. He keeps us on a yearly schedule for inspections that provides me confidence and peace of mind. When we install new equipment, he ensures that I have everything I need to register with the State.

Christy Raby Ed.D., RT(R)

Radiology Supervisor, Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic

X-Ray Inspection