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Patient Shielding in Diagnostic Imaging: Discontinuing a Legacy Practice
Rebecca M Marsh1, Michael Silosky1
11 University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop C278, Aurora, CO 80045.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|January 24, 2019
Summary
Patient shielding in diagnostic imaging offers minimal benefit but increases radiation dose and reduces image quality. Radiologists, technologists, and physicists should discontinue this outdated practice for improved patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Physics
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Patient shielding is a long-standing practice in diagnostic imaging.
- Evidence suggests shielding provides negligible benefit.
- Shielding may increase patient radiation dose and impair image quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the necessity and impact of patient shielding in diagnostic imaging.
- To discuss the historical context and current implications of shielding practices.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical rationale for patient shielding.
- Analysis of evidence regarding shielding's benefit versus risk.
- Discussion of diagnostic efficacy and patient dose implications.
Main Results:
- Patient shielding offers negligible or no benefit in diagnostic imaging.
- Shielding poses a substantial risk of increasing patient dose.
- The practice can compromise the diagnostic efficacy of images.
Conclusions:
- The continued use of patient shielding in radiology is ill-advised.
- Radiologic technologists, medical physicists, and radiologists should cease patient shielding.
- Abandoning shielding is crucial for patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.
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