Radiation Protection In Cath and EP Lab

[Xana77]

Hello,

we are conducting a survey at our hospital and would like to find out what other hospitals are doing in terms of protecting staff from radiation during cath and EP cases for each role.

In our hospital we use:

1. lead aprons and thyroid collar / circulators have to use lead that covers the back

2. Overhead lead shield for MD an Scrub technician

3. Optional full size rolling lead shield for circulator by the head of the table, to protect during IV push med administration (most don't use this as it's too cumbersome)

4. half size rolling shields available

5. One MD uses lead gloves underneath surgical gloves

6. Optional lead glasses / goggles

We would like to know if other cath labs are doing anything different or in addition to this and if these protective gears are optional or mandatory, etc.

We are going to have radiation tested in the different planes to find out where the circulator can more safely stand (if possible).

Thank you for your replies and any helpful info you can give!!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm OR, but we do several hybrid cases in conjunction with cath lab and EP

Mandatory:

Full lead coverage (no aprons, but full skirt and full top for 360 degree coverage) with thyroid shield for anyone employed by the hospital

One dosimeter badge worn outside lead

For all cath lab/ all ep/ pregnant OR staff: additional dosimeter under lead

Optional:

Overhead lead shield (used by everyone, so it's almost like it's mandatory)

Hanging lead shield from table (again, used by everyone so almost like it's mandatory)

Lead gloves (most cardiologists absolutely hate them, some of our urology docs use them for ureteroscopies)

For some surgeons who are not actual hospital employees who are doing short surgical procedures (hemodialysis cath insertion for example) may use adjustable height lead wall (not acceptable for use by circulators/scrubs)

We also have a radiation safety officer who does unannounced inspections- several people have been written up for not wearing lead, using the lead wall when circulating rather than lead, not wearing dosimeter.

[Xana77]

Thank you for your reply! Question, how about eye protection? Most of our doctors use the lead glasses, but not all...same for the scrubs and none of the circulators use them - some use eye protection but unleaded..

THanks!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Eye protection of some sort (may not be regular vision correcting glasses, must also cover the sides) is mandatory. For OR staff, this is usually a mask with a plastic face shield or safety glasses. Most of cath lab has their own safety glasses instead of using face shield masks, but I don't know if any of them use leaded safety glasses.