From the August 2019 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
HCB News: When we think about the cardiovascular or cardiac interventional space, how does a ceiling-mounted protection system fit into procedure workflow?
SS: At the time of patient transfer, the overhead radiation shield will be in a storage location off to either end of the room. Then, at the start of the exam, the technologist should bring the shield into the primary location, allowing the physician to position it according to his or her needs. The goal is to provide the primary physician and the ancillary staff protection from the secondary or scatter radiation, with the overhead shield positioned between the imaging source and the physician.
The shield should be placed in close proximity to the patient to decrease the secondary scatter radiation emitting from the patient. During the procedure, the physician may readjust the shield slightly in order to optimize the radiation protection provided, and then the shield returns to the storage position.
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HCB News: Are there emerging trends in terms of ceiling-mounted systems and how we think about space and layout in a radiology department?
SS: Increased awareness of the direct correlation between radiation-induced cataracts and exposure to the lens of the eye has recently shifted the conversation around occupational hazards in radiology. We are seeing more requests, and a greater need, for protective solutions in different imaging environments, such as urology, which historically did not have an overhead ceiling suspension system in place.
HCB News: Is that part of a larger radiation awareness trend we’re seeing?
SS: Yes. The cataracts studies, which were presented at the Society for Interventional Radiography meeting, established a direct correlation to cataracts by monitoring physicians year over year and establishing a baseline. I think from that paper and the imaging OEMs and the physicians themselves raising awareness among one another in the provider environment, we’re witnessing a change. Now, that radiation protection education starts with younger physicians in their residency years and early career years, I think the education component has improved.
HCB News: What else can providers, especially those using fluoroscopic equipment, do to educate themselves and reduce occupational hazards?
SS: For starters, I would encourage everyone to keep up with the National Council for Radiation Protection. They are one of the leading national agencies on radiation protection, and several years ago they published a report entitled, Radiation Dose Management for Fluoroscopically-Guided Interventional Medical Procedures, which provides a summary and groundwork for best practices. It lists radiation protection products that are recommended to be in every fluoroscopic image guided room, including a mobile barrier, an overhead barrier and lower body protection. People need to make sure they’re meeting those guidelines.
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