SCAI Clinical Documents and Research
Peer-reviewed consensus documents defining the scope of occupational risk and evidence-based solutions.
ALARA+: Summit on Radiation and Orthopedic Risks in Fluoroscopic Laboratories
March 24, 2026
Expert-led discussion on redefining “reasonable” risk, integrating modern shielding technologies, and aligning policy with contemporary evidence.
Occupational Health Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
April 3, 2025
This analysis reports the results of a 2023 SCAI member survey on occupational hazards in the CCL, focusing on orthopedic injuries, cancer diagnoses, and pregnancy-related issues, and discusses the actions needed to improve the safety and well-being of operators and CCL staff.
SCAI Multisociety Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards of the Catheterization Laboratory: Shifting the Paradigm for Healthcare Workers' Protection
February 11, 2020
Defines radiation, orthopedic, and reproductive risks and calls for a paradigm shift in workforce protection.
Toolkits For Practical Implementation
Action-oriented tools designed to support local safety, policy change, purchasing decisions, and daily practice.
SCAI Radiation Safety Toolkit
Introduces core principles of radiation exposure, ALARA/ALARA+, and occupational risk in the Cath Lab, with practical guidance on dose awareness, ergonomics, and foundational safety practices for the entire care team.
ERPD Summary Toolkit
Provides a practical overview of widely available Enhanced Radiation Protection Devices (ERPDs), including evidence of efficacy.
Economic Argument for ERPD Toolkit
Equips physicians and Cath Lab leaders with data and talking points to demonstrate the clinical, workforce, and financial value of ERPDs—linking reduced injury, improved retention, and long-term cost savings.
Advocacy Toolkit
Supports engagement with state regulators and policymakers by outlining current regulatory barriers and evidence‑based policy arguments to modernize radiation safety standards and enable ERPD adoption
Education & On-Demand Learning
Recorded educational activities curated from SCAI’s LMS, mirroring how RDN and SHOCK repurpose live programming into enduring resources.
Radiation and Orthopedic Safety in the Cath Lab—We Can Do Both
May 3, 2025
Recorded SCAI 2025 satellite that reviews the occupational risks of radiation exposure and musculoskeletal injury in the Cath Lab and highlights practical strategies to protect the health and longevity of the cardiovascular care team.
The Avenue Forward: What Can We Do About Orthopedic Injury and Pain?
February 12, 2026
Educational session addressing musculoskeletal injury, imaging ergonomics, and workflow redesign for long-term workforce sustainability.
Who Should Use This Resource Center?
- Interventional cardiologists and advanced imagers
- Cath Lab nurses and technologists
- Hospital and service line administrators
- Radiation safety officers and quality leaders
- Fellows and early-career operators
Every day, staff in the cardiac catheterization laboratory face demands and hazards unique to interventional cardiology.
Given the expansion in the number and complexity of transcatheter cardiac interventions over time, it is imperative that, as a community, interventional cardiology understands the risks it faces.
SCAI advocates for workplace safety standards and fosters a collaborative community to achieve intentional, positive change in operators' physical and mental well-being.