A Study on the Use of Radiation-Protective Apron among Interventionists in Radiology

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Occupational Health
• Radiology

Background:

• Radiation-protective aprons are essential for interventionalists to mitigate ionizing radiation exposure.
• Apron selection requires balancing lead equivalence for protection and weight for physical comfort.
• Understanding current practices and knowledge gaps is vital for improving occupational safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge and practices of interventional radiologists regarding radiation-protective apron use.
• To assess the relationship between apron characteristics, work duration, and reported physical strain.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was administered to 91 interventional radiologists at an annual conference.
• Data collected included demographics, apron type, weight, lead equivalence, and physical strain experienced.
• Work duration in the angiographic suite was also recorded.

Main Results:

• Nearly half of participants reported body aches from wearing single-sided aprons.
• Interventionists working extended hours (>10 h/day) predominantly reported shoulder and back pain.
• A significant portion of respondents were unaware of their apron's lead equivalence, with 68% using 0.5 mm lead-equivalent aprons.

Conclusions:

• A substantial number of interventionalists experience physical strain, highlighting a need for better apron selection.
• Recommendations include using aprons that fit correctly, are lightweight, and possess adequate lead equivalence.
• Optimizing apron choice can enhance both radiation protection and practitioner well-being.