Can Dose Area Product be Used to Monitor Staff Dosimeter Badge Compliance?
Abstract
Purpose
It is mandatory for staff involved in fluoroscopy to wear dosimeter badges to track their radiation dose. However, staff compliance can be inconsistent and challenging to monitor. We investigated the correlation between the dose area product (DAP) of interventional C-arms and the radiation badge reading of interventional radiologists. This correlation potentially could be used to monitor staff badge compliance.
Methods
A dosimeter badge was placed on the “C” of an interventional C-arm. For 7-months, the monthly badge reading was compared with total monthly C-arm DAP (since DAP is a surrogate of scatter radiation). For 4-years, the monthly collar badge readings of two interventional radiologists (Dosemonthly, radiologist) were compared with the total monthly DAP of all procedures performed by each radiologist (DAPmonthly, radiologist). Badges were worn consistently (outside lead apron) and replaced each month. Correlation between Dosemonthly, radiologist and DAPmonthly, radiologist was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ), with values ranging from 0 (no correlation) to 1 (perfect correlation).
Results
Correlation between the badge placed on the “C” and the total monthly C-arm DAP was very strong (ρ=0.89), confirming that the badge reliably measured the radiation scatter present in the procedure room. There was a moderate/weak correlation between Dosemonthly, radiologist and DAPmonthly, radiologist, with ρ=0.47 and ρ=0.30, for each radiologist respectively. This moderate/weak correlation may be due to differences in radiologist location (relative to patient as well as exiting procedure room during acquisitions) and inconsistent use of shielding devices during procedures.
Conclusion
The feasibility of monitoring staff badge compliance using DAP remains questionable, given the moderate/weak correlation between DAP and radiation badge reading for physicians who consistently wear their badges. However, this correlation may be substantially higher than that of physicians who inconsistently wear their badges. Comparison of these two groups is the planned next step in this investigation.