Final answer:
Radiographers must erase any cassette that has been in storage for over 24 hours to prevent 'ghosting' and ensure high-quality diagnostic images.
Step-by-step explanation:
Radiographers should be careful to erase any cassette prior to use if there is any chance it has been in storage for more than 24 hours. This is to prevent the phenomenon known as 'ghosting,' where residual images from previous exposures may interfere with new images being captured. Since a radiography cassette uses a photostimulable phosphor plate, it can retain latent images that will degrade the quality of subsequent scans if they are not removed.
To ensure the production of high-quality diagnostic images, it is essential for radiographers to follow the best practices of erasing and preparing cassettes, which include inspecting the cassette for any signs of damage or wear, checking its cleanliness, and verifying the proper operation of the erase function.