By Dr. Mina S. Makary M.D.
Reprinted from the “RADPAD Daily Dose Newsletter”

While the radiation doses utilized in image-guided procedures are generally considered low, recent studies have demonstrated significant effects of chronic low-dose radiation exposure to the procedural staff.

• Alarming incidence of brain cancer
• Higher incidence of skin, thyroid, breast cancers, and melanomas
• Higher incidence of stroke and atherosclerotic disease
• Increased risk of developing cataracts
• Decreased memory and verbal fluency
• Higher frequency of chromosomal abnormalities

The deleterious effects of radiation exposure are not only related to dose thresholds of specific exposures, but they are also a function of the cumulative doses over one’s lifetime exposure. These risks prompt increased awareness and education, improved radiation protection techniques, and further research efforts.

• Use intermittent fluoroscopy whenever possible
• Minimize the pulse rate for standard fluoroscopy
• Minimize the frame rate for digital angiography/digital subtraction angiography
• Collimate
• Avoid magnification if feasible
• Utilize the “last image hold” function rather than obtaining new unwarranted images

Next, capitalizing upon the nature and distribution of scatter radiation, which is the primary source of occupational exposure, further reduces one’s dose.

• Step back as far as possible from the radiation source
• Angulate the tube towards the operator when oblique views are desired to avoid back scatter
• Utilize shielding
• Personal aprons
• Caps
• Thyroid shields
• Eyewear
• Table shields
• Mounted side shields
• Patient drape shields
• Monitor amount of radiation by utilizing personal dosimeter and equipment data.

In addition to protecting the procedural team, good radiation safety habits are good patient care. With the growth of both diagnostic imaging and imaging-guided procedures that require ionizing radiation, patient exposures have significantly increased at an alarming rate over the past three decades, and it is estimated that medical imaging contributed to 48 percent of the public’s radiation exposure in 2006 compared to only 15 percent in the 1980s.

Good radiation safety habits equals good patient care:

• Minimizing fluoroscopy time reduces patient exposure
• Collimation improves image contrast and quality in addition to reducing the dose
• Using non-ionizing radiation for procedural guidance, such as ultrasound and MRI, as much as possible
• Maximizing pre-procedural imaging for planning to minimize procedural time
• Avoiding unnecessary procedures

Occupational radiation safety is critical for many reasons. It protects our proceduralists and staff, as well as our patients while also ensuring the patient receives the best care possible. The risks are real. The benefits are real.

Radiation safety is both an occupational safety issue, as well as a patient care issue. It is not a luxury, and chronic low-dose radiation does matter. The time is now to prioritize radiation safety in our daily practice.

Click here to review Dr. Makary’s article in its entirety. For queries/questions, he can be reached via social media/twitter at @MinaMakaryMD.

For more information, listen to Dr. Makary’s podcast on BackTable, “Ep. 62: Protect Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself with Dr. Mina Makary”

RADPAD® Shielding Solutions

RADPAD® products are the only clinically proven, non-lead, non-latex and non-vinyl, lightweight and disposable products that can provide up to 95% reduction in x-ray scatter radiation. Placed directly on the patient, the RADPAD® shield works by creating a “shade zone” where radiation is absorbed by the shield. This allows the clinician to move freely within this zone with significantly reduced scatter radiation, all while protecting the other staff and the patient as well.

RADPAD® 5000 series products are comprised of several procedure-specific radiation protection shields designed to provide maximum protection to the operator and cath lab personnel during fluoro-guided procedures.

RADPAD® 7000 series are comprised of several procedures specific sterile drape + RADPAD® Radiation Protection Shields, designed to protect operators and cath lab personnel during fluoro-guided procedures.

RADPAD® No Brainer® is an attenuation material-lined scrub cap worn by the cath lab personnel to protect their brain from scatter radiation during fluoro-guided procedures.

RADPAD® Thyroid Shield w/ Cover is a RADPAD® thyroid shield worn by the cath lab personnel to protect thyroid glands during fluoro-guided procedures.

To learn more about the RADPAD®, please call 888-891-1200 or email us to be connected to your local sales representative.

Contact MED Alliance for a risk assessment and demonstration.

MED Alliance Group is a medical device distributor with more than 350 years of combined medical device sales and distribution experience. Dedicated to meeting the needs of its clinical customers and manufacturing partners, MED Alliance offers cost-effective, customized sales, logistics, and distribution solutions for products found in anesthesia/respiratory, blood/transfusion therapy, EMS/emergency room, interventional radiology/cath lab, iv/vascular and NICU/PICU.

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