Radiation Protection in Fluoroscopy Procedures

A series of actions or measures taken to reduce radiation risks to patients, personnel, and the public.

This principle states that any medical procedure involving radiation should only be performed if the potential benefits to the individual or society outweigh the associated radiation risks.

This principle dictates that radiation exposure to patients should be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) without compromising the diagnostic or therapeutic value of the medical procedure.

These are legal limits on the amount of radiation exposure an individual can receive. They are set to prevent deterministic effects and limit the potential for stochastic effects.

The effects of radiation are categorized as deterministic or stochastic. Deterministic effects have a threshold dose and the severity increases with dose. Stochastic effects have no threshold and probability of occurrence increases with dose.

Shielding, time, and distance are essential elements of radiation protection.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) sets recommendations for radiation protection and provides guidance on how to manage radiation risks.

The Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation Committee (BEIR) reviews scientific data on the health effects of ionizing radiation and provides assessments of risk.

The amount of radiation received is directly proportional to the duration of exposure. Longer exposure time means higher dose.

The intensity of radiation decreases rapidly as distance from the source increases. Doubling the distance reduces the dose to 1/4th of the original.

Minimizing the time spent in the path of radiation significantly reduces the radiation dose received.

Moving away from the patient (the source of scattered radiation) to increase the distance reduces the radiation dose received.

Protective aprons help distribute weight and shield the back from radiation scatter during procedures.

This dose limit applies to individuals doing work that exposes them to radiation. It covers all exposures related to their job except for specific exclusions.

This category refers to individuals who receive radiation exposure as part of their medical treatment or diagnosis. It includes patients, caregivers assisting patients, and volunteers in medical research.

This dose limit applies to the general public. It includes exposures from authorized radiation sources and practices, but excludes exposure from natural background radiation and specific medical or occupational exposures.

It is the maximum amount of radiation exposure per year an individual can receive in a controlled work environment.

It's the maximum cumulative dose allowed for radiation workers over a lifetime.

This dose limit applies to individuals who are undergoing training in radiation work. It aims to protect trainees from excessive exposure during their learning process.

This dose limit applies to individuals that have planned exposure to radiation for specific purposes outside of normal occupational or medical scenarios.

Special dose limits apply to pregnant workers to protect the embryo or fetus from radiation exposure.

The inverse square law describes the relationship between radiation intensity and distance. As distance from the radiation source increases, the intensity of radiation decreases by the square of the distance.

The inverse square law equation is used to calculate the intensity of radiation at different distances. It states that the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.

Interventional procedures, particularly those using fluoroscopy, can expose medical professionals to high levels of radiation. This is because fluoroscopy involves prolonged exposure to radiation.

Cataracts are a potential health risk for interventionalists due to repeated exposure to high levels of scattered radiation, especially if older, less protective X-ray systems are used.

The ICRP report 85 (2001) emphasized the importance of avoiding radiation injuries in interventional procedures. They highlight the potential for cataract formation among interventionalists due to prolonged exposure to radiation.

Provides recommendations for radiation protection based on fundamental principles and quantitative bases to protect individuals and the public from the harmful effects of radiation.

Sets international standards for nuclear safety and provides guidelines for the application of those standards to ensure safe use of nuclear technologies.

Studies the effects of ionizing radiation on human health and the environment to provide scientific evidence and recommendations for mitigating risks.

A range of radiation exposure levels indicating potential hazard: 0.5-2.5 mSv/h: Low

A range of radiation exposure levels indicating potential hazard: 1-5 mSv/h: Moderate

A range of radiation exposure levels indicationg potential hazard: 2-10 mSv/h: High

A report released in 1990 by the National Research Council (NRC), assessing the health risks associated with low levels of ionizing radiation.

An international organization that develops recommendations and provides guidance on radiation protection.

The Malaysian law governing the use of radioactive substances, including X-ray machines.

An act that regulates atomic energy throughout Malaysia, establishing standards for nuclear damage liability.

The principle of minimizing radiation exposure to patients during medical procedures while maintaining the diagnostic or therapeutic value.

Effects that have a threshold dose and their severity increases with the dose of radiation.