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Hiles P, Gilligan P, Damilakis J, Briers E, Candela-Juan C, Faj D, Foley S, Frija G, Granata C, de Las Heras Gala H, Pauwels R, Sans Merce M, Simantirakis G, Vano E. European consensus on patient contact shielding. Radiography (Lond) 2021; 28:353-359. [PMID: 34953726 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Patient contact shielding has been in use for many years in radiology departments in order to reduce the effects and risks of ionising radiation on certain organs. New technologies in projection imaging and CT scanning such as digital receptors and automatic exposure control (AEC) systems have reduced doses and improved image consistency. These changes and a greater understanding of both the benefits and the risks from the use of shielding have led to a review of shielding use in radiology. A number of professional bodies have already issued guidance in this regard. This paper represents the current consensus view of the main bodies involved in radiation safety and imaging in Europe: European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics, European Federation of Radiographer Societies, European Society of Radiology, European Society of Paediatric Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), and European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR). It is based on the expert recommendations of the Gonad and Patient Shielding (GAPS) Group formed with the purpose of developing consensus in this area. The recommendations are intended to be clear and easy to use. They are intended as guidance, and they are developed using a multidisciplinary team approach. It is recognised that regulations, custom and practice vary widely on the use of patient shielding in Europe and it is hoped that these recommendations will inform a change management program that will benefit patients and staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Hiles
- Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, UK.
| | - P Gilligan
- European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Mater Private Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - J Damilakis
- European Society of Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, Vienna, Austria; University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - E Briers
- Member ESR-Patient Advisory Group, Patient Advocate, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - C Candela-Juan
- European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Centro Nacional de Dosimetría (CND), Instituto Nacional de Gestión Sanitaria, Valencia, Spain
| | - D Faj
- European Radiation Dosimetry Group, Neuherberg, Germany; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
| | - S Foley
- European Federation of Radiographer Societies, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Radiography & Diagnostic Imaging, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - G Frija
- European Society of Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, Vienna, Austria; Université de Paris, France
| | - C Granata
- European Society of Paediatric Radiology, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - H de Las Heras Gala
- European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - R Pauwels
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - M Sans Merce
- European Radiation Dosimetry Group, Neuherberg, Germany; Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - G Simantirakis
- European Radiation Dosimetry Group, Neuherberg, Germany; Greek Atomic Energy Commission, Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - E Vano
- European Society of Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, Vienna, Austria; Radiology Department, Complutense University, Spain
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