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Q&A with Susan Sherman, U.S. sales and business development at MAVIG

August 23, 2019
Susan Sherman
From the August 2019 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
For all the medical benefits of fluoroscopic procedures, it’s no secret that radiation exposure puts providers at an increased risk when performing them. HealthCare Business News spoke to Susan Sherman, U.S. sales and business development for MAVIG, to find out how this issue is evolving and the unique role ceiling-mounted shielding can play.

HCB News: MAVIG’s solutions pertain to an interesting cross section of medical equipment; monitor displays and radiation protection. How do these two unique areas of emphasis relate to each other?
Susan Sherman: It’s about optimizing the use of space. Healthcare providers have found mounting monitors and radiation protection to the ceiling more desirable due to constantly dwindling space on the floor. However, the ceiling space is also becoming more crowded and real estate is at a premium. Therefore, every ceiling-mounted system must be optimized for its intended use.

While the importance of radiation safety is well known, using a ceiling suspension system for supporting monitors is really about ergonomics and putting the displays in the line of vision for physicians so they are not twisting or turning or leaning during the procedure. In that sense, both of these capabilities come down to workplace safety.

HCB News: Is ceiling mounting common for overhead shielding?
SS: I would say it’s very common in cardiovascular imaging to use overhead shields. In other imaging applications, they may be used on a stand or other methods of radiation protection may be used, like glasses, a visor and an array of other personal protection solutions. The shielding needs are always evolving for different applications.

HCB News: What are some of the questions providers should ask themselves before planning a ceiling-mounted installation?
SS: The first question would be: What imaging and clinical applications is the room being used for? What procedures are going to be done that would require increased radiation protection? If you’re going to be performing ERCP, or cardiovascular, or cardiac interventional procedures, for example, then these are cases where sometimes exposure time is longer, so there is an increased need for radiation protection. This is due to the direct correlation between the radiation exposure to the lens of the eye and cataracts.

HCB News: What about from a logistical standpoint?
SS: Working with your imaging OEM and room planning partners, you need to familiarize yourself with the equipment guidelines for collision points — where is the C-arm movement? You must review the C-arm range of motion and the overhead radiation shield range of motion so they overlap, but at the same time you want to reduce the collision points. Working with your facility to determine the weight bearing capabilities of your building is an important first step toward any mounted installation. As far as the equipment itself is concerned, all of our new fixed-mounted substructures are made to handle a heavy weight load and the movement of the equipment.

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