(Sunday, 7/29/2018) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Room: Exhibit Hall
Purpose: Fluoroscopy is a major radiation dose source, both for patients and personnel. The annual collective effective dose to US population in 2006 is 1,870,000 person-Sv, of which approximately 7% is from interventional fluoroscopy and more than 5% from conventional radiography and fluoroscopy. Different from other imaging modalities, fluoroscopy is operated by, or under the direct supervision of, the radiologist or medical practitioner. It has shown that fluoroscopic radiation dose to the patients as well personnel strongly depends on the operator/practitioner and their training. This study is to investigate the current state regulations/requirements for radiologist and non-radiologist who utilize fluoroscopy systems.
Methods: A survey of state regulations regarding the operators was conducted. The survey questions include 1)Does your state license radiographers; 2)Does your state have specific training requirements for radiologist; 3)Does your state have specific requirements for non-radiology physicians who utilize fluoroscopy; 4)Does your state have specific requirements or training for PA/RA who utilize fluoroscopy. If training was required, follow-up questions were asked, including how the training is conducted, hands-on, web-based, or other; number of hours required; and certificate, registration, or license.
Results: Of 50 states, eleven states require a license/certificate to perform fluoroscopic procedures or specific fluoroscopic tasks. Three states specify training hours, i.e., Massachusetts requires physician assistants to complete 40 hours of didactic training on fluoroscopy, and an additional 40 hours of clinical training in the place of employment where the procedure will be carried out. Twenty-nine states have no specific or related regulations for the fluoroscopy or operators of fluoroscopy, either radiologist or non-radiologist. North Carolina is considering specific requirement for the use of fluoroscopy.
Conclusion: Consistent regulation and specific training requirements for the operators of fluoroscopy systems, particularly for non-radiologists, should be pursued at the state or national levels to ensure appropriate and safe use.
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