Variability in Fluoroscopic Time during Interventional Non-Cardiac Procedures Performed Outside of the Radiology Department

Purpose: Increasing physician awareness of patient exposure to radiation is an important step towards the reduction of potentially harmful effects of radiation. Published studies demonstrated that providing physicians with feedback regarding their fluoroscopy time leads to a reduction in average fluoroscopy times. The aim of this work was to analyze and publish our medical center data observed during the past year; fluoroscopy time (FT), Dose Area Product (DAP) and cumulative dose (CD) were monitored for radiation protection purposes. Methods: Fluoroscopy time is one of multiple radiation dose indices used in radiation safety auditing. Such auditing is nowadays turning into requirement of patient care safety and quality improvement; as indicated by accreditation bodies both nationally and internationally. All non-cardiac procedures performed outside radiology department by surgeons and interventionists are viewed. FT, DAP and CD are extracted for analysis. Results: a total of 846 cases were studied (643 orthopedic, 99 others, 73 urology, 17 chest, 7 vascular and 4 ERCP cases). Mean FT was 1.3 minutes, mean CD to the patient was 12.98 mGy and the mean DAP was 4.53 Gy/cm2. The longest FT noted was 55 min. The maximum CD was 904 mGy and the maximum DAP was 689 Gy/cm2. Using spearman’s correlation test we found out that there is a significant correlation between FT and DAP (correlation coefficient = 0.615, p. value < 0.001). There is a significant correlation between FT and CD (correlation coefficient = 0.628, p. value < 0.001). Conclusion: Information about FT that used in each procedure can be used as a tool for patient dose optimization. As we found a significant correlation between DAP as well as CD. Reducing fluoroscopic time (FT) is a radiation protection goal, since it serves the purpose of protection for both the patient and the workers.