[The role of quality management in x-ray protection in cardiologic catheterization laboratory]

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in procedures based on x-ray radiation and their application in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. It is associated with still increasing radiation doses absorbed by the laboratory staff as well as by the patients, especially in catheterization laboratories of invasive cardiology, where procedures on the heart and vessels are performed. Current regal regulations impose the need to apply in x-ray laboratories the quality management system in radiological protection. The authors present some problems faced at an early stage of introducing and adopting this system in the catheterization laboratory of intervention cardiology. The possibilities of laboratory certification are discussed in line with international norms of the International Standards Organization (ISO). Some concepts for the future that could enhance the efficacy of x-ray doses monitoring and certain actions aimed at decreasing those doses are also proposed.