While many of us are aware of the risks, I believe that we try not to think of the impact that chronic radiation exposure can have on our health and wellness. Perhaps some of us are in denial thinking, “it’s not going to happen to us.” This is my life, this is my job. How can I not do it? Responsively, technologies and procedures now exist to help clinicians minimize the risk of exposure.

I remember, when I began practicing medicine, some procedures would last 14 hours with incredible fluoroscopy time. Today, people would probably think we were crazy, but in those days it was not even talked about or monitored like it is today. In fact, it is now an ongoing conversation that we try to address in our daily practice, both for ourselves and our patients.

Now it’s standard protocol to inform the patient of the amount of radiation that they are exposed to during a procedure. Patients ask. Before, they didn’t ask. Patients are more aware of the risks involved and the industry needs to address their concerns.

The ALARA principles, along with adequate radiation protection training and diligently following protection protocols can significantly reduce radiation exposure. Awareness and adherence to these guidelines is key.

For physicians, the traditional precautions of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lead vests, shields and proper positioning are all important, although it is well documented that over time doctors develop orthopedic injuries as a result of the heavy but necessary protective gear.

Over the past few years, the industry has worked toward reducing the window of exposure as well as employing new technologies and devices that significantly reduce radiation exposure levels and the orthopedic burden of traditional PPE, such as, light weight protective gear, remote systems and robotics. These strategies do work to offer protection, but while the system we have is good, it is not perfect and there is still more that can be done.

I also see great strides being made to go to fluoro-less procedures in electrophysiology. There are some of us that are doing this already. Clearly the industry is motivated to develop even better tools and we are closer to achieving that.

Better protection for physicians requires more education about the issue and diligence to use the technology we have to protect ourselves. Over the past 20 years, we have made tremendous progress in treating patients, and we now need to make the same progress in protecting our physicians and partners.

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