The nation’s foremost radiation protection agency on Wednesday issued new guidance recommending providers discontinue routine shielding during abdominal and pelvic x-ray exams. Imaging groups quickly embraced the move, endorsing an end to the long-held imaging practice.
The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement said its statement is based on more than 70 years of research indicating the best way to keep patients safe during imaging is to not use shields. The NCRP explained that today’s technology emits very small amounts of radiation compared to modalities of the past and noted shielding increases patients’ risk of repeated exposure.
A number of radiology organizations support this change, including the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, American Board of Radiology, Society for Pediatric Radiology, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and American College of Radiology. The latter released its own statement this morning.
“NCRP’s new recommendations are a critical step for the radiology community moving forward together with discontinuing routine gonadal shielding,” Mahadevappa Mahesh, MS, PhD, chair of the ACR Commission on Medical Physics, said Jan. 13
Hospitals across the country have already taken it upon themselves to move away from patient shielding during routine exams, while the pandemic has forced others to phase out lead aprons due to sanitary concerns.
Top radiology groups in the U.K. have also called for an end to patient shielding during routine x-rays, publishing an 87-page consensus statement last March.
The ACR said it encourages practices to review and share the new NCRP guidance with patients and look to the council’s implementation guide and flier for help.
ASRT Board members also indicated a willingness to help providers on their journey toward embracing this new imaging paradigm.
“The ASRT Board is committed to working with all of our partner organizations to design and disseminate educational materials to help inform the public about the extremely low dose from certain radiologic procedures and ASRT’s ongoing focus on patient safety through comprehensive radiation protection practices,” the ASRT said in a statement published Wednesday.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.