To better help radiology providers optimise radiation dose and provide safe, effective imaging care, Image Wisely® has launched its new fluoroscopy initiative. Now visitors to their website can find educational materials for fluoroscopy (imagewisely.org/Imaging-Modalities/Fluoroscopy), computed tomography (CT) and nuclear medicine examinations.

"Fluoroscopy can deliver one of the higher radiation doses in medical imaging. This new initiative will help radiology providers deliver quality patient care and optimise radiation dose and image quality during fluoroscopic procedures," according to Richard Morin, PhD, co-chair and American College of Radiology (ACR) representative to Image Wisely®.

The online materials cover a wide array of topics, including principles of radiation safety for patients and the teams performing fluoroscopy procedures, dose monitoring, organisational culture, teamwork, checklists and other tools from the process improvement perspective. Protocols and techniques on principles for diagnostic fluoroscopic procedures, interventional procedures, and cardiac procedures are also available on the webpage.

"The new Image Wisely webpage is a one-stop location to find advice and links to credible resources to help facilities reduce the incidence of adverse reactions to the patient due to excess radiation and improper technique," said Donald Peck, PhD, American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) representative to Image Wisely®.

"Careful planning and execution of fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures can reduce procedure risk as well as radiation exposure to the patient and hospital staff," explained William Mayo-Smith, MD, co-chair and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) representative to Image Wisely®.

Although fluoroscopy is the third largest source of medical radiation exposure behind CT and nuclear medicine, it provides tremendous diagnostic and treatment value. Fluoroscopy is used in many types of exams and procedures, such as barium enemas, angiography, cardiac catheterisation, arthrography, and biopsies.

"Radiation safety during fluoroscopic procedures depends on an extensive network of people working together as a team," said Greg Morrison, MA, RT (R), American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) representative to Image Wisely®. "High-performing teams greatly exceed the capabilities of individuals, no matter their skill, intelligence or dedication."

In addition, Image Wisely® encourages imaging providers to show to patients that they "image wisely" by taking the Image Wisely pledge (imagewisely.org/Pledge). There are three online pledge options:

  • Pledge as an individual
  • Pledge as a facility
  • Pledge as an association

The Image Wisely® webpage also offers free radiation safety cases on Imaging Wisely When Evaluating for Pulmonary Embolism; Dose Management in Endovascular Image-Guided Neuro-Interventions; CT Dose and Size-Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE); and Technical Errors and Image Quality in Digital Radiography. The cases can be accessed via this link: imagewisely.org/case

Image Wisely® is a joint initiative of the American College of Radiology (ACR), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). The four charter members of Image Wisely represent more than 200,000 physicians, radiologic technologists and medical physicists who play key roles in medical imaging.

Source: RSNA
Image Credit: Image Wisely®

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Fluoroscopy, Radiation, RSNA 2014, #RSNA14, Image Wisely To better help radiology providers optimise radiation dose and provide safe, effective imaging care, Image Wisely® has launched its new fluoroscopy initia...