To Shield or Not to Shield
The issue of gonadal shielding has become a hot topic within the radiology community as gonadal and fetal shielding has been a long-standing practice for radiologic technologists since the 1950’s. It was also a “HOT TOPIC” at the recent National Conference of Radiation Control in Danvers, MA. In addition, the healthcare community doesn’t take this issue lightly as changing radiation safety “best practices” that have been in place for decades would require a lot of amendments to state statues, facility protocols, educational programs, and also patient expectations.
Recent scientific evidence, however, has prompted many of the major medical and scientific imaging organizations to reassess the risks and benefits of this gonadal shielding. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine recommended the discontinuation of these shields back in April of 2019 claiming patient shielding may jeopardize the benefits of undergoing radiological imaging and that the shields could obscure anatomic information or AEC of imaging systems, thus increasing the patient’s dose. Today, the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements and supported by the ACR, ASRT, AAPM, ABR and SPR recommends no longer shielding patient’s reproductive organs during imaging examinations during Abdominal and Pelvic Radiography.
C-Arm's and High Badge Readings
Protect yourself and your staff from unnecessary scatter radiation with the use of radiation protection table drapes. Radiation exposure from c-arm fluoroscopy comes from two main sources: scatter radiation from the patient and radiation leakage from the x-ray tube. Table drapes can significantly reduce the amount of radiation that affects high dosimeter badge readings.
Protective Table Drapes attach quick and easy to any imaging table with hook and loop & are available in a wide variety of sizes for all your protection needs. There is no obstruction to the function of your c-arm and no obstruction to the tabletop. Our table drapes are available as a single sided use, as a saddle drape for protection on both sides of the table, or as an added shield for the head or foot of your table.