Program Information

Promoting Radiation Protection in Catheterization Laboratories Through a Mobile Application

N Ryckx*, F Verdun, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, VD

SU-E-P-8 Sunday 3:00PM - 6:00PM Room: Exhibit Hall

Purpose:
The number and complexity of interventional cardiology (IC) procedures has been steadily increasing over the last twenty years. This implies an increased risk of stochastic and even deterministic effects to the patient, as well as an increased exposure of IC staff. Radiation protection must thus become of prime importance and should be promoted by all possible means.

Methods:
We are currently developing a mobile application that will help the physician to evaluate his/her current state of practice regarding radiation protection. The key elements to achieve this goal would be:
- Comparing his/her patient delivered doses to the local diagnostic reference levels (DRL).
- Estimate the risk and severity of potential radiation-induced skin burns and the necessity of patient follow-up.
- Estimate one's average personal dose.
- Give advice in order to reduce patient and staff exposure.
- Give general information about radiation protection.

Results:
As radiation-induced erythema occurs several days or weeks the X-ray exposure, it can be easily diagnosed as being caused by another factor, such as medication or allergy. Giving the patient more information about his/her personal risk would greatly improve his/her follow-up to minimize negative side effects of a high dose IC procedure. As for the staff, it will help them with their daily practice by giving them useful tips aiming to reduce the dose delivered to the patient and, as a consequence, their own personal dose.

Conclusion:
The promotion of radiation protection must be done using all available means. The tremendous growth of mobile devices in the recent years called for a gap to be filled. When ready, our mobile application will help the physician to reach the lowest dose possible while still keeping diagnostic accuracy by estimating his/her practice with respect to the local diagnostic reference levels and giving useful working tips.

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