Moving Forward—Not Backwards

January 25th is Backwards Day—a fun reminder that sometimes flipping our perspective can be eye-opening. But in healthcare, doing things “backwards” isn’t always harmless. When safety, comfort, or preparation are treated as afterthoughts, the consequences can be far more than inconvenient. In imaging environments especially, small decisions made out of urgency or habit can quietly turn into bigger problems over time.

When Convenience Comes Before Safety: In busy healthcare settings, it’s easy to prioritize speed and convenience. But when safety is pushed to the bottom of the list, teams may find themselves dealing with ill-fitting or shared radiation protection, worn or outdated lead aprons, delayed replacements due to long lead times, or inconsistent protection across staff or patients These situations don’t usually happen all at once. They build slowly—often because safety planning was postponed until a problem appeared.

Comfort Is Not a Luxury! Another common “backwards” approach is viewing comfort as optional. In reality, uncomfortable radiation protection can lead to improper use, increased fatigue or strain during long procedures, reduced compliance with safety protocols, and actually long-term musculoskeletal issues for staff. When comfort is addressed upfront—through proper sizing, fit, and garment selection—safety improves naturally. Emergency replacements often limit choices and create unnecessary stress for imaging teams. Proactive preparation isn’t about over-planning—it’s about reducing avoidable disruption.

Backwards Day offers a good moment to pause and ask: Are we reacting instead of planning? Are we prioritizing short-term convenience over long-term safety? Are our teams properly protected and supported? In healthcare, moving safety and preparation to the front of the process creates better outcomes for staff, patients, and operations alike. Radiation safety works best when it’s intentional, consistent, and proactive. Addressing fit, comfort, and availability before they become problems helps imaging departments focus on what matters most—patient care. Sometimes the best takeaway from Backwards Day is recognizing that the right order makes all the difference.