A thoughtful approach to establishing radiation dose monitoring protocols will ensure that you have the right team, effective patient communications, and a plan for instituting a structured process with room for course correction, as needed. However, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so an equally critical part of your protocols must include regular training and education for all personnel involved with radiation dose delivery. A study conducted in 2013 revealed these sobering statistics.

While awareness of the risks associated with radiation dose has improved in the years since the study, ongoing education is crucial. The team overseeing dose monitoring needs all medical and technical staff to be as up-to-date and informed as possible. Anyone operating fluoroscopy equipment should participate in ongoing education and must be able to answer these questions:

• What are typical radiation dose and dose rates?
• What are the possible health concerns?
• What actions should be taken before, during, and after the procedure?
• What are common dose optimization techniques?
• How can I follow ALARA for the patient and me?

Watch Olav Christianson’s complete webinar on Beyond the Data: The Human Side of Monitoring.