Revisit radiation, from the fundamentals of safety to the specifics of your own cath lab

As a result of an increasing number of medical radiation–based studies, radiation exposure to patients has recently received much attention in the lay press. Institutional issues are also emerging related to operator and staff exposure. Take time to again review the basics of radiation safety and the mechanisms your cardiac cath lab has in place to utilize and monitor this as a quality initiative. The SCAI-Quality Improvement Toolkit provides succinct and helpful guidance on this topic. In addition, Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions recently published two terrific Core Curriculum reviews.

Download:

• SCAI-QIT Facility and Environmental Issues tool and review slides 76-79.

Review:

• Chambers CE et al. Radiation safety program for the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2011;77:546–56.
• Duran A et al. A summary of recommendations for occupational radiation protection in interventional cardiology. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2013; 81:562–67

Acknowledgements

The SCAI Quality Improvement Toolkit was developed with support from founding supporter Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Lilly USA, LLC and AstraZeneca. The Society gratefully acknowledges this support, while taking sole responsibility for all content developed and disseminated through this effort.