Share the Message—Make a Difference
The key to minimizing the effects of ionizing radiation among cath lab staff lies in balancing measures to reduce the exposure dose and ensuring adequate image quality needed for diagnosis and treatment. In essence, radiation exposure should be kept “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” (ALARA) by taking the simple steps in the following social media reel.
Use the SCAI-WIN campaign materials below about radiation safety to raise awareness of best practices that protect everyone from occupational risks, advocate for improved radiation protection for all in the cath lab and enable informed career decision-making by women considering working in this field.
Challenge Myths
Share this informational social media post on radiation safety.
POST 1
Radiation exposure in the #cathlab is a significant concern for women planning to start a family. Let's debunk myths about #InterventionalCardiology, #RadiationExposure, and #pregnancy! Watch this video to learn more ➡️ https://youtu.be/IfBP11F7aM4
#RadiationSafety #SCAIWIN @SCAI #cardiology
Empower Informed Decision Making
Show your commitment to increasing the number of interventional cardiologists who are women by sharing these social media posts to rally support and encourage those considering a career in interventional cardiology to work in the field:
POST 2
Only 8% of #InterventionalCardiology fellows are women. Let's improve representation by sharing important #RadiationSafety information. Help spread the word ➡️ scai.org/radiationsafety
#SCAIWIN @SCAI #cardiology #RadiationSafety #DEI #Diversity
WITH THIS GRAPHIC—DOWNLOAD
POST 3
Female #cardiologists are less likely to specialize in #InterventionalCardiology due to fears of radiation exposure, causing a distinct lack of #diversity in the field. Help me address this gender disparity by sharing accurate #radiation information for females in #cardiology ➡️ scai.org/radiationsafety
#RadiationSafety #DEI #SCAIWIN @SCAI
WITH THIS GRAPHIC—DOWNLOAD
Share Best Practices
Share what measures you personally take to reduce radiation exposure in the cardiac catheterization lab. Use SCAI graphics or a selfie to personalize your message.
POST 4
I always wear my full radiation outfit to reduce radiation exposure in the #CathLab. Do you? #SCAIWIN #RadiationSafety @SCAI
WITH THIS GRAPHIC OR A SELFIE—DOWNLOAD
POSTS 5-9
I reduce frame rate, when possible, to reduce radiation exposure in the #CathLab. Do you? #SCAIWIN #RadiationSafety @SCAI
I use Fluoro-save to reduce radiation exposure in the #CathLab. Do you? #SCAIWIN #RadiationSafety @SCAI
I use Collimation to reduce radiation exposure in the #CathLab. Do you? #SCAIWIN #RadiationSafety @SCAI
I avoid magnification where possible to reduce radiation exposure in the #CathLab. Do you? #SCAIWIN #RadiationSafety @SCAI
I use disposable radiation protection drapes to reduce radiation exposure in the #CathLab. Do you? #SCAIWIN #RadiationSafety @SCAI
WITH THIS GRAPHIC OR A SELFIE—DOWNLOAD
Ariel Roguin MD PhD, Perry Wu MD, Travis Cohoon MD, Fahad Gul MD, George Nasr MD, Ned Premyodhin MD, Morton J. Kern, MD. Update on Radiation Safety in the Cath Lab – Moving Toward a “Lead-Free” Environment. JSCAI. 2023 June 02. doi: jscai.2023.101040.
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Roguin A. CardioPulse. Radiation in cardiology: can’t live without it! : using appropriate shielding, keeping a distance as safely as possible and reducing radiation time are essential principles for radiation reduction. Eur Heart J 2014;35:599–600.
Roguin A, Goldstein J, Bar O, Buchanan WI. Brain tumours among interventional cardiologists: a cause for alarm? Report of four new cases from two cities and a review of the literature. EuroIntervention. 2012;7:1081-6.
Orme NM, Rihal CS, Gulati R, Holmes DR Jr, Lennon RJ, Lewis BR, McPhail IR, Thielen KR, Pislaru SV, Sandhu GS, Singh M. Occupational health hazards of working in the interventional laboratory: a multisite case control study of physicians and allied staff. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015;65:820–826. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.11.056.
Klein LW, Tra Y, Garratt KN, Powell W, Lopez-Cruz G, Chambers C, Goldstein JA; Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Occupational health hazards of interventional cardiologists in the current decade: Results of the 2014 SCAI membership survey. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2015;86:913–924. doi: 10.1002/ccd.25927.
Goldstein JA. Orthopedic afflictions in the interventional laboratory: tales from the working wounded. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015;65:827–829. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.12.020
Radiation Studies - CDC: ALARA [Internet]. [cited 2023 Apr 27]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/alara.htm
Christopoulos G, Makke L, Christakopoulos G, Kotsia A, Rangan B V., Roesle M, et al. Optimizing Radiation Safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory: A practical approach. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2016 Feb 1;87(2):291–301.
Kim KP, Miller DL. Minimising radiation exposure to physicians performing fluoroscopically guided cardiac catheterisation procedures: a review. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2009 Feb;133(4):227-33. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncp052. Epub 2009 Mar 27. PMID: 19329511; PMCID: PMC2902901
Ghatan C, Kothary N. Radiation Safety Considerations for the Female Interventionist
Vu CT, Elder DH. Pregnancy and the working interventional radiologist. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2013 Dec;30(4):403-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1359735.