Educational radiation usage reporting system for fluoroscopic-guided invasive interventional procedures

Since the early 1990s, a number of radiation injuries from invasive interventional procedures has been reported, and there is no evidence that they have stopped occurring. Most reports are from the USA, where the FDA mandates that device-related injuries be reported. In all likelihood, similar injuries are happening in other countries, but may not be recognized because many interventionalists are unaware of the possibility of such injuries and, thus, there is little follow-up with the patient after the procedure has been performed. In recent years, the IAEA has enjoyed considerable success in raising awareness of radiation protection concerns among interventional cardiologists and radiologists through a variety of training events, in which interventionalists from about 70 countries have participated. The stage is thus set for developing a reporting system for exposures that have the potential to lead to injuries. The proposed system shall be: voluntary rather than mandatory; anonymous rather than identifiable; capable of exchanging safety information among the professionals involved; designed to enhance awareness of the possibility of high exposures in fluoroscopic-guided interventional procedures; and to raise the level of safety consciousness among those involved in such procedures. The Agency, through a recently organized Consultants Meeting, has prepared a framework for such a reporting system. Initially, the system shall be available to those participating in IAEA projects. Further details are available from Mr. Madan Rehani.