Article
Establishing National Diagnostic Reference Levels for Mini C-arm Use, St John’s Hospital Livingston
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Published: | February 6, 2020 |
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Outline
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Objectives/Interrogation: There is a lack of data regarding the relative amount of patient radiation exposure during mini C-arm procedures. It is critical that diagnostic reference levels (DRL's) are put in place to ensure patient safety. This study aims to be the first to audit large quantities of mini C-arm data, and use the results to generate national DRL's for mini C-arm use. Furthermore the difference between open and closed surgical procedures and anatomical location of procedure will be analysed.
Methods: Data from procedures using mini C-arms over 5 years has been collected and analysed. Screening times and Dose Area Product (DAP) were recorded for 2033 procedures. 3rd Quartile values for screening time and DAP were calculated for the different groups being analysed. The impact that anatomical location of procedure (digits and hand compared to wrist and forearm) was statistically analysed using ANOVA analysis.
Results and Conclusions: The majority of procedures fall within the 3rd quartile screening time for their given population. The 3rd quartile screening time for all procedures was 23s and 1.6126 cGycm2 for DAP. The 3rd quartile DAP and screening is significantly shorter for closed surgical procedures compared to open procedures. Furthermore, there is significant variation in the screening time and DAP of procedures based on anatomical location. Not only can these results be used to generate new DRL's for mini C-arm use in the upper limb, but they provide a platform for further training and identification of areas where there were significant outliers during procedures.