Congress:
EuroSafe Imaging 2021
Keywords:
Interventional vascular, Paediatric, Radioprotection / Radiation dose, Catheter arteriography, Fluoroscopy, Audit and standards, Dosimetry, Radiation safety, Dosimetric comparison, Education and training
Authors:
E. Vano, M. D. R. Perez, P. Jimenez, C. Ubeda, P. Miranda, A. Nader, R. Ramirez, I. Fleitas
DOI:
10.26044/esi2021/ESI-12257
Purpose or learning objective
The International Basic Safety Standards have requirements for the protection of patients in medical exposures including the establishment of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs).
The World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated in 2019 a project for enhancing optimization in paediatric interventional radiology and cardiology in Latin American and Caribbean countries through the use of DRLs (OPRIPALC project).
When interventional radiology and interventional cardiology procedures are performed in children, radiation doses may be relatively high.
For some complex cases, it is important to avoid high doses considering if:
- The X-ray systems are under strict quality control programs;
- The operational protocols are properly supervised, and
- Staff is trained in radiation protection
ICRP has issued new recommendations on Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) including advice for paediatric image-guided interventions.
New technologies in X-ray systems and post-processing of the images should be implemented together with the appropriate training (including the radiation protection aspects) and a regular audit of patient doses and image quality.
The main objectives of the project refer to:
- Promote radiation safety culture in paediatric interventional radiology and cardiology,
- Improve radiation safety and quality of care in the participating centres,
- Define optimization strategies based on DRLs and auditing patient doses and
- Produce a regional consensus document offering guidance on optimization.