title: W.S.B.--a fluoroscopy C-arm communication strategy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Good communication between an operating clinician and the attending radiographer when using C-arm fluoroscopy is vital. Efficient and safe use of ionising radiation protects all theatre staff. The object of this study was to design and test a single communication language for use in all fluoroscopy-assisted procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A clinician guiding a radiographer performed a control 'no-rules' experiment of 56 targeting manoeuvres with a fluoroscopic C-arm on a scientific model. A single beam laser replaced the usual ionising radiation beam. The time taken for each targeting along with the laser exposure required was recorded. Following a period of instruction, the experiment was repeated using only our pre-defined communication strategy. The data was collected for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant reduction was seen in the time taken for each targeting manoeuvre and the laser exposure required when using our strategy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that using our pre-prepared communication strategy could significantly improve efficiency and safety of fluoroscopic C-arm use.
authors.affiliation: April Cottage, Leys Road, Tostock, Suffolk, UK. thdwilliams@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Timothy H D
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Amanda G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Syrett
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Brammar
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*