2024-2026 Radiation Safety in Digital Fluoroscopy: Interventional Procedures

2024-2026 Radiation Safety in Digital Fluoroscopy: Interventional Procedures is organized by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Release Date: 9/1/2024
Original Expiration Date: 8/31/2026

Overview:
This module provides safety information to avoid episodes of skin damage and harm to patients and minimize radiation to staff during fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures. This online activity meets California educational requirements for physicians who hold radiation Operator & Supervisor Permits, and provides 1.25 of 4 CME credits in radiation safety for the clinical uses of fluoroscopy that are currently required every two years to retain the Fluoroscopy Operator and Supervisor Permit.

Fluoroscopically guided procedures provide both clinical and economic benefits to patients. This collection of four modules presents current information on avoiding radiation-induced tissue reactions, which while uncommon can be catastrophic and continue to occur. By updating clinicians with the most current guidelines and recommendations, including imaging wisely and gently, these injuries should never be a surprise to either operator or patient. Monitoring and controlling radiation dose during the procedure and using dose information for continuous benefit-risk analysis is essential. In instances where injury is unavoidable, its magnitude can be minimized assuming appropriate actions are taken before, during, and after each use.

This CME activity is designed for Cedars-Sinai healthcare professionals who hold a California radiation supervisor & operator permit, and is open only to Cedars-Sinai affiliates.

Objectives:

• Compare and contrast IR Labs and mobile c-arms, evaluating their respective advantages and limitations in clinical settings
• Compare and contrast the different exposure modes an IR lab can be used for, and evaluate their appropriateness for various clinical scenarios
• Analyze the different aspects of image quality and evaluate the trade-offs for increasing performance in one aspect
• Analyze the radiation risks to patients and staff associated with long, powerful x-ray exposures and evaluate strategies to minimize those risks
• Analyze the different radiation indicators visible from an IR lab console and evaluate how to effectively use each one to optimize patient safety and image quality