title: Changing Patterns in the Performance of Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures and Adherence to Radiation Safety Practices in a U.S. Cohort of Radiologic Technologists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Information is limited on changes over time in the types of fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures performed and associated radiation safety practices used by radiologic technologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study included 12,571 U.S. radiologic technologists who were certified for at least 2 years in 1926-1982 and who reported in a 2012-2013 survey that they ever performed or assisted with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures. They completed a mailed questionnaire in 2013-2014 describing their detailed work practices for 21 fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures and associated radiation safety practices from the 1950s through 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the proportion of technologists who reported working with therapeutic fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures, including percutaneous coronary interventions, increased over time, whereas the proportion of technologists who worked with diagnostic fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures, including diagnostic cardiovascular catheterization and neuroangiographic procedures, decreased. We also observed substantial increases in the median number of times per month that technologists worked with diagnostic cardiovascular catheterizations and percutaneous coronary interventions. In each time period, most technologists reported consistently (≥ 75% of work time) wearing radiation monitoring badges and lead aprons during fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures. However, fewer than 50% of the technologists reported consistent use of thyroid shields, lead glasses, and room shields during fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures, even in more recent time periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides a detailed historical assessment of fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures performed and radiation safety practices used by radiologic technologists from the 1950s through 2009. Results can be used in conjunction with badge dose data to estimate organ radiation dose for studies of radiation-related health risks in radiologic technologists who have worked with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures.
authors: 1 Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9069 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850.
authors: Hyeyeun
authors: H
authors: Lim
authors: 1 Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9069 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850.
authors: Martha S
authors: MS
authors: Linet
authors: 2 Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors: Miriam E
authors: ME
authors: Van Dyke
authors: 3 Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD.
authors: Donald L
authors: DL
authors: Miller
authors: 1 Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9069 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850.
authors: Steven L
authors: SL
authors: Simon
authors: 1 Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9069 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850.
authors: Alice J
authors: AJ
authors: Sigurdson
authors: 1 Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9069 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850.
authors: Cari M
authors: CM
authors: Kitahara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000592:standards*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011871:Radiology / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cardiovascular catheterizations; fluoroscopically guided procedures; radiation safety practices; radiologic technologists