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Use of a Sterile, Disposable, Radiation‐Absorbing Shield Reduces Occupational Exposure to Scatter Radiation During Pectoral Device Implantation
Author(s) -
SIMONS GRANT R.,
ORRISON WILLIAM W.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2004.00520.x
Subject(s) - medicine , electromagnetic shielding , shield , radiation , radiation protection , thermoluminescent dosimetry , radiation exposure , lead apron , nuclear medicine , dosimetry , attenuation , radiation shielding , occupational exposure , optics , biomedical engineering , medical physics , thermoluminescent dosimeter , materials science , dosimeter , composite material , petrology , physics , geology , medical emergency
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a radiation‐absorbing shield in reducing physicians' occupational radiation exposure during pectoral device implantation. A sterile, disposable, lead‐free radiation‐absorbing surgical drape containing x‐ray attenuation material was evaluated. Twenty procedures used the radiation absorbing drape, and 20 were performed without the shielding. Radiation exposure was measured using thermoluminescent dosimetry collar badges. Use of the protective shield was associated with a time adjusted 80% reduction in radiation dose (0.009 mrem/s with shielding vs 0.047 mrem/s without shielding, P < 0.05) to the physician performing the procedures. The radiation‐absorbing surgical drape did not interfere with technical performance nor add procedural time, and all procedures were successfully completed. This study demonstrates that a sterile, disposable, radiation‐absorbing drape provides a convenient means of augmenting conventional radiation shielding. Use of this protective shielding greatly reduces operators' occupational exposure to scatter radiation during pectoral device implantation without compromising sterility or procedural technique. (PACE 2004; 27[Pt. I]:726–729)