Key Approaches to Protecting Patients, Staff from Radiation
Diagnostic Imaging published a recent piece detailing basic steps that be completed during interventional procedures to reduce the amount of radiation exposure to patients and healthcare providers alike. These steps were detailed by Dr. Navnit Kumar at the RSNA meeting.
One key step is to ensure that shielding is available for both patients and healthcare providers. Other shields which should be utilized include those for eye, thyroid, face, and undercouch. Lead gloves should also be utilized as indicated. Aprons should have the equivalent of 0.35 to 0.70 lead equivalent.
As can be accomplished, eliminate the amount of space between imaging equipment and staff members. Increasing the space between equipment operators and the machines by two decreases the amount of exposure by a factor of four. To increase the opportunity to increase the distance, long connectors can be utilized.
Decrease the amount of time that radiation beams are on. This can be achieved by engaging in preplanning for images and completing dry runs of imaging procedures for complex and nonroutine studies. Patient placement can be facilitated with the use of intermittent fluooscopy.
Another simple tip is to reduce the number of persons who exposed to radiation; limit the number of persons in the suite to only those whose presence is required. And, for those who must be present, ensure that those individuals stay behind shields and as far from equipment as possible.
November 29, 2007 Related topics: Imaging, Quality, Safety, Errors, Radiology