Assessment of occupational dose reduction with the use of a floor mounted mobile lead radiation protection shield.

With the increasing number and complexity of interventional cardiology procedures, there is the potential for higher occupational radiation doses to the interventionists. In order to reduce the radiation exposure to interventionists, a number of different radiation protection measures can be implemented; the most common of which being personal protective equipment in the form of a lead-equivalent apron. However, significant development has been achieved with mobile lead equivalent radiation protection devices, which provide enhanced radiation protection without the requirement of being directly worn by staff. The RAMPART M1128 radiation protection shield is one of these devices. The dose reduction provided to staff within a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory was assessed via the use of electronic personal dosimeters with the Philips live dosimetry system DoseAware (Philips DoseAware). A 60% dose reduction to the primary operator can be achieved with the Rampart device. Further dose reductions are possible for other individuals in the range of 65%-84%. Additionally, dose rate measurements were taken in a simulated clinical set-up using a phantom, which showed that the device provided a 65% dose reduction at eye level and a 90% dose reduction at chest level for the primary operator position. This significant dose reduction means that there is the potential for at least the primary operator to wear a lead apron of reduced lead equivalence specification when the Rampart device is in use, without increasing their occupational exposure and potentially reducing musculoskeletal pain due to the reduced weight.