Dosimetry badges have been the accepted standard for many years, even though they can be cumbersome. Every month or quarter since the 1940s, managers had to collect the badges — which record an individual’s radiation exposure — and send them to the issuing company for data retrieval. It would be a much simpler process if all the badges could be collected at the same time. But, of course, not every physician and employee is around every day — in fact, some may be on leave, or only work once a month, or are simply difficult to track down. Once badges have been collected, new badges must then be distributed, and the process must be repeated.

Today’s managers, however, have another option that saves them many hours giving them more time to focus on other essential aspects of their job. The Instadose+ dosimetry badge is wirelessly enabled, which means there is no need to collect and distribute badges. Instead, a built-in memory chip on each device accumulates data that can be transferred to a computer or mobile device at a pre-scheduled time or on demand and the employee or physician can keep the same badge for years. Managers can keep closer track of their employees’ exposures by analyzing their information, which is represented graphically on the Instadose+ website.

Just as digital cameras have largely replaced film cameras the Instadose+ dosimetry badges are replacing the old-style film badges and keeping physicians and staff safer by using SMARTER technology.