Issue:

Reaction to radiation amongst health care workers is varied: fear and poor understanding amongst some, and a negligent attitude amongst others. What is known about radiation is that 1) the greater the radiation dose the greater the probability of developing cancer in one’s lifetime; 2) the effects of repeated radiation exposures are cumulative; 3) radiation from medical sources is increasing worldwide; and 4) interventional procedures are becoming more complex and prolonged. Defining a safe occupational dose and quantifying risk for the interventional team is difficult. Current dose measuring techniques (dosimeters) have limitations.

Objectives:

The primary purpose of this developmental study is to highlight the potential for avoidable occupational radiation exposures to staff given the increasing complexity of the imaging equipment and interventional procedures encountered in a modern clinical workplace by a health care team (comprised of nurses, technologists, radiologists, anesthetists). Current Canadian badge monitoring suggests increased annual radiation burden amongst radiologists (National Dose Registry 2006-2008). Therefore the short term goal of this study is to demonstrate the potential for increased occupational dose to the health care team, by using phantoms paired with various dose detectors in simulated procedures. Specifically, the study will focus on:
1. Occupational radiation dose to room operators in simulated interventional procedures.
Hypothesis: Complexity of interventional procedures with new sophisticated equipment contributes to the increased occupational exposure.

2. Comparing radiation doses from the simulated procedures to a sample of doses from monitored live cases.
Hypothesis: The average doses measured during live cases will not be statistically different to doses recorded during phantom simulations, thereby validating the use of phantoms to define true occupational doses.

Anticipated Results:

The intended outcomes include recognition of factors influencing occupational radiation doses during complex interventional procedures, identification of ways to improve occupational radiation protection, and implementation of educational strategies.

Investigators:

Bairbre Connolly, Christopher Gordon, Karen Thomas (The Hospital for Sick Children)