Reducing Occupational Exposure From Fluoroscopy

摘要

Question: How can I reduce my radiation exposure when performing fluoroscopic examinations? Answer: If you are performing procedures involving fluoroscopy, you could potentially receive a significant radiation dose. This is especially true for interventional procedures. Individual state regulations set maximum permissible dose levels that limit the amount of exposure you may receive as a radiation worker. Although regulations vary somewhat, most states specify that the maximum allowable annual effective whole-body dose is 50 mSv, An individual radiation monitoring device is provided to keep track of your exposure. To ensure that your actual whole-body dose can be accurately determined, it is important that you wear the monitoring device (or two, if your facility uses a dual-monitor system) for all procedures in which you are involved, at the proper location, and exchange the device at the frequency your facility dictates. The regulatory dose limits have been selected to prevent the occurrence of clinically significant deterministic radiation effects (such as skin effects or cataracts) and limit the risk for stochastic radiation effects (cancer and genetic effects). However, it is conceivable that even a single x-ray interaction can damage a cell, which could lead to cancer or a genetic effect, Plus, radiation risk is cumulative. Therefore, it is important to do everything you can to keep your dose as low as possible throughout your career.