Safe Clinical Use of Fluoroscopy
Course Overview
Fluoroscopy has many uses in modern medicine, expanding beyond standard x-rays films. While these procedures have clinical benefits, they are not without risks, particularly related to radiation exposure. A major focus of this course is on the risks and average doses patients and clinicians incur when undergoing fluoroscopy procedures. The overall goal and purpose of radiation safety and dose management is to conduct individual radiation risk assessment for each patient, providing the patient involved with an opportunity to give informed consent relating to their radiation risk. Studies indicate that improved clinician education can help to limit radiation dose and associated complications.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Outline the history of fluoroscopy.
- Define terms used in discussion of fluoroscopy.
- Describe the components of a standard fluoroscopy unit.
- Discuss the use of contrast media in obtaining fluoroscopy images.
- Identify limitations of fluoroscopy in diagnostic and interventional radiology.
- Analyze the various uses of fluoroscopy in diagnostic and interventional radiology.
- Evaluate key issues in radiation exposure and potential deterministic and stochastic effects.
- Outline the various ways that patient and staff radiation doses are measured and documented.
- Identify tenets of radiation safety when working with fluoroscopy.
- Describe radiation safety issues for special populations, including pregnant women and children.
About the Author/Presenter
Berthina Coleman, RN, MD, is a registered nurse and resident who has worked extensively in various healthcare fields. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from Grambling State University in 2006. She then went on to pursue further education, graduating with a Medical Degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2014. Dr. Coleman consistently worked as a nurse during her medical training process, holding several leadership positions. She firmly believes that the nursing perspective is critical in providing the best care to an ever-changing patient population.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing, Physician
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