European consensus on patient contact shielding

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 - Copyright © 2021 Peter Hiles, Patrick Gilligan, John Damilakis, Eric Briers, Cristian Candela-Juan, Dario Faj, Shane Foley, Guy Frija, Claudio Granata, Hugo de las Heras Gala, Ruben Pauwels, Marta Sans Merce, Georgios Simantirakis, Eliseo Vano. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

PY - 2022/4

Y1 - 2022/4

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 (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.

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 (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.

KW - Child

KW - Consensus

KW - Humans

KW - Radiation Dosage

KW - Radiography

KW - Radiology Department, Hospital

KW - Radiology/methods

KW - Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85127204910&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.ejmp.2021.12.006

DO - 10.1016/j.ejmp.2021.12.006

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34955383

SN - 1120-1797

VL - 96

SP - 198

EP - 203

JO - Physica Medica

JF - Physica Medica

ER -