1 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9
M
embers of your surgical team are at risk every time
C-arms are switched on from a danger they can't
see or feel. Luckily, the steps they can take to pro-
tect themselves from X-ray scatter are rooted in
common sense. My role as a radiation safety offi-
cer at a large hospital lets me track the amount of radiation thousands
of surgical professionals are exposed to each year, and most have lit-
tle to extremely low levels of exposure because they work with the
latest imaging technologies, practice proper fluoroscopy techniques
and understand the 3 fundamentals of radiation safety.
Michael J. Bohan, BS | New Haven, Conn.
Focus on the Fundamentals of Radiation Safety
Understanding the principles of time,
distance and shielding will limit your team's exposure risks.
• RESPECT THE RISKS Surgical team members should understand the dangers associated with intraoperative imaging and
take the necessary steps to protect themselves from harm.
