TY - JOUR
T1 - European consensus on patient contact shielding
AU - Hiles, Peter
AU - Gilligan, Patrick
AU - Damilakis, John
AU - Briers, Eric
AU - Candela-Juan, Cristian
AU - Faj, Dario
AU - Foley, Shane
AU - Frija, Guy
AU - Granata, Claudio
AU - de Las Heras Gala, Hugo
AU - Pauwels, Ruben
AU - Sans Merce, Marta
AU - Simantirakis, Georgios
AU - Vano, Eliseo
N1 - © 2021. The Author(s).
PY - 2021/12
Y1 - 2021/12
N2 - 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 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.
AB - 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 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.
KW - Consensus
KW - Protective devices
KW - Radiation dosage
KW - Radiology
KW - Tomography (X-ray computed)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85121633004&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s13244-021-01085-4
DO - 10.1186/s13244-021-01085-4
M3 - Review
C2 - 34939154
SN - 1869-4101
VL - 12
JO - Insights into Imaging
JF - Insights into Imaging
IS - 1
M1 - 194
ER -