In radiation safety, what does the term 'collimation' refer to?

The term 'collimation' refers specifically to a method of restricting the x-ray beam. This process involves using devices called collimators to narrow the x-ray beam to a specific area, minimizing unnecessary exposure to surrounding tissues and improving the overall quality of the image produced. By limiting the beam's size, collimation reduces patient radiation dose and helps protect healthcare workers from excess radiation, ultimately enhancing safety during imaging procedures.

This focused application ensures that the radiation is directed only at the area of interest, thereby preventing scatter radiation that may contribute to noise in the imaging results and increase the risk of exposure to patients and staff. Understanding collimation is crucial for maintaining safety standards in environments that use x-rays and other radiological procedures.