Radiation safety in IR (2020) – online course

Description

Please note that this course is no longer CME accredited and will be taken offline on January 3, 2025.

Authors: E. Efstathopoulos and W. Jaschke

Reviewers: M. Deutschmann, M. Hoffmann, A. Krajina, C. Nice and M. Tsitskari

This course corresponds to chapter 2.1.3 Patient safety in the European Curriculum and Syllabus for Interventional Radiology.

Abstract

The advances in digital imaging and the improvement in interventional tools over the past 20 years have significantly increased the frequency of interventional procedures. As interventional procedures may deliver high radiation doses both to patients and staff, which in turn raise serious concerns regarding the harmful effects of ionising radiation, it is essential for interventional radiologists to have an adequate knowledge and training in order to minimise these risks. The need for education in radiation protection is even more imperative in the light of the revised occupational dose limit for the lens of the eye and the new European Directive 2013/59 Euratom.

The aim of the current e-learning course is to advance knowledge about radiation safety and its implementation in interventional radiology. It provides clear and concise education on the basic physics of ionising radiation, the components of the fluoroscopic imaging chain and the biological effects of ionising radiation. The course lays out the legal requirements for radiation protection and the main strategies for occupational and patient radiation dose management. The goal is to provide practical information on how to avoid excessive doses to both the patient and operator.

Learning objectives

• Explain the production of x-rays
• Describe the interactions of x-rays with matter
• List the basic components of the fluoroscopy imaging equipment
• Explain the biological effects and risks of ionising radiation
• Define the basic principles of radiation protection
• Describe the most important tools for radiation protection including aprons, lead glass eyewear and shields
• Describe and apply dose reduction strategies in clinical practice for medical professionals, patients and special population groups (children, pregnant women)
• To identify the parameters that affect patient and occupational radiation exposure

Further information

This course covers a basic level of IR knowledge and is designed for trainees, students or young consultants aiming to acquire essential knowledge or prepare for the EBIR exam. Thereby, it is tailored to the European Curriculum and Syllabus for Interventional Radiology and corresponds to chapter 2.1.3 Patient safety.

The format of the course is interactive and easy to use, including texts, graphics, videos and a quiz to support your learning. The course duration is around two hours.

The enrolment period of this course is linked to the validity of the All-Access Pass.

Release date: January 2020