an erasable photostimulable storage medium that can store a radiographic image when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation at an exposure wavelength and that can be erased for subsequent use when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation at an erasure wavelength;

an X-ray apparatus for exposing the storage medium at the exposure wavelength;

a memory that stores a signal that is indicative of elapsed time since a most recent erasure of the photostimulable medium; and

a processor for determining whether the elapsed time exceeds a limit for imaging of the medium and, when the elapsed time is determined to be above the limit but acceptable, for providing a warning to an operator of the X-ray apparatus and for enabling the operator to proceed with imaging without erasing the medium.