Radiation safety for anesthesiologists

To review the recent literature on the implications of occupational radiation exposure in anesthesia practice.

Wide variation and lack of reduction in operator doses of medical radiation strongly suggests that more attention must be paid to the factors influencing radiation dose exposure. The eye is likely the most sensitive organ for radiation injury. Radiation-related cataract formation might be a stochastic effect. Operators are strongly advised to use eye protection at all times. Safe medical radiation ophthalmic dose limits are currently under review and are likely to be lowered. Current data do not suggest a significant risk to the fetus for pregnant women working in the interventional radiology suite as long as proper monitoring and radiation safety measures are implemented.

Radiation is increasingly utilized in medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Anesthesia providers may become exposed to unsafe doses while providing high-quality patient care. Understanding of the physical principles, the sources of radiation exposure, the potential risks, and safe practices helps to minimize the exposure risk and its potential deleterious effects to the anesthesia team.