title: Inspection of cardiology departments in Norway: are they making it great in radiation protection?
abstract: Staff involved in interventional cardiology receive the highest occupational doses in Norway, and skin burns of patients have been reported. To identify the level of radiation protection (RP) for patients and staff, and compliance with the RP regulation, the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority carried out inspections. The inspections were conducted (2013-14) as quality system reviews, based on document reviews, interviews, on-site inspections and observations of interventional procedures. The inspections revealed that most of the hospitals had non-compliances according to the RP regulation. Most deviations were associated with education in RP and follow-up of patients who had received high radiation doses. Lack of systematic optimisation of procedures and estimation of eye lens doses to evaluate the risk for cataracts were also common. Inspections turned out to increase the awareness of RP in cardiology and are identified as an effective tool for improving RP.
authors: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55 N-1332, Østerås, Norway Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway reidun.silkoset@nrpa.no.
authors: R D
authors: RD
authors: Silkoset
authors: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55 N-1332, Østerås, Norway Gjøvik University College, Gjøvik, Norway.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Widmark
authors: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55 N-1332, Østerås, Norway.
authors: E G
authors: EG
authors: Friberg
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000592:standards*; D002386:Cataract / Q000517:prevention & control; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000528:radiation effects; D009664:Norway; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D015642:Radiology, Interventional / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014965:X-Rays