Scholars@Duke publication: WE‐B‐213CD‐01: International Actions on Radiation Safety in Fluoroscopic Procedures Performed Outside Radiology Departments

WE‐B‐213CD‐01: International Actions on Radiation Safety in Fluoroscopic Procedures Performed Outside Radiology Departments

Publication , Conference

Rehani, M

Published in: Medical Physics

January 1, 2012

Fluoroscopic guided procedures are increasingly being performed outside main radiology departments particularly in operation theatres. In some procedures the patient dose per procedure falls in the range of 5 to 30 mSv of effective dose and in some others local radiation is high enough with risks of radiation induced skin injuries. Generally most fluoroscopy machines used in operation theatres do not have protective lead glass screens for operators and other staff and thus there is possibility of higher exposure to staff. There has been general lack of training in radiation protection of doctors performing these procedures. Medical physicists are often asked to provide training or advice in such situations. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has recently finalized a publication under the chairmanship of the presenter which is going to be published as Annals of ICRP 117. It deals with radiological protection aspects in vascular surgery, urology, orthopaedic surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, gastroenterology, anaesthetics & pain management and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The IAEA has made available training materials as ppt slides on this subject that can be downloaded free and members of AAPM can effectively use. The IAEA has conducted training programs in which specialists from more than 35 countries have participated. The presentation shall review the work of ICRP and IAEA in this area in many countries. Learning Objectives: 1. To understand radiation doses and risks to patients and staff in fluoroscopic guided procedures performed outside radiology such as in operation theatres 2. To become familiar with recent international resources in this area 3. To understand radiation protection methods as applicable in specific situation of procedures in operating theatres. © 2012, American Association of Physicists in Medicine. All rights reserved.