The Bucky slot cover is primarily in place to protect whom?

The Bucky slot cover is designed primarily to protect both the fluoroscopist and the technologist during procedures involving fluoroscopy. This device is positioned over the Bucky slot of the fluoroscopy table to provide shielding from scattered radiation that can occur during imaging.

By utilizing the Bucky slot cover, the additional radiation exposure that could affect both the technologist and the fluoroscopist is significantly reduced. This is critical since both these professionals may spend extended periods near the radiation source when performing their duties, hence it is essential to have appropriate protective measures in place to minimize their exposure.

The cover does not primarily protect the patient in this scenario, since their position and interaction with radiation differ from that of the staff. Instead, the focus is on safeguarding the healthcare personnel who are operating the equipment and ensuring their safety throughout the procedure.