Portable X-ray under 10kg, now usable outside hospitals

[Financial News] From now on, it will be possible to use portable X-ray equipment for imaging in disaster sites or remote island and mountainous areas with low medical accessibility. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Cho Kyuhong) announced on the 17th that the scope of use for portable X-ray imaging devices will be expanded beyond medical institutions, and the 'Safety Management Regulations for Diagnostic Radiation Generating Devices', which include safety standards, will be implemented from July 18.
Until now, diagnostic X-ray devices were only allowed to be used inside hospitals due to concerns about radiation hazards, and outside medical institutions, they could only be used in a limited manner when mounted on mobile examination vehicles.
However, with recent advancements in medical technology, small X-ray equipment weighing under 10kg has emerged, raising the need for its use in various fields such as emergency and disaster situations or remote areas.
In fact, in medical blind spots such as islands and remote areas, there was a demand for a method where medical staff approach the site for imaging instead of patient transport, and portable X-rays have been highlighted as a means to support this.
In response, the Ministry of Welfare, together with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, demonstrated the feasibility of applying this equipment in the field through the 'Gangwon Digital Healthcare Regulatory Free Zone'. With safety and efficacy confirmed, related regulations were revised to promote institutionalization.
The core of this rule amendment is that portable X-ray equipment weighing under 10kg is allowed to be used outside hospitals without mobile examination vehicles. However, safety measures to minimize harm from radiation exposure must be implemented concurrently.



Kim Guk-il, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “With this system improvement, portable X-ray use has become possible even in emergency situations or areas with low medical accessibility,” and expressed expectations that “the accessibility for rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients will be greatly improved.”
This amendment is a case of allowing flexible operation of medical devices in line with technological advancements, and is expected to enhance the agility and responsiveness of the medical field.

vrdw88@fnnews.com Kang Jung-mo Reporter