A Pilot Single-Center Prospective Randomized Trial To Assess The Short-Term Effect Of A Flashing Warning Light On Reducing Fluoroscopy Time And Radiation Exposure During ERCP

In plain language

In a single-center randomized trial of 200 therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographys (ERCPs), a light that flashed whenever fluoroscopy was active cut fluoroscopy time and dose-area product by about 15%. Staff dose was not measured directly, though less fluoroscopy time generally means less exposure for the team.

At a glance

Type of study: Original research, Randomized trial
Who was studied: Gastroenterologists, Patients
Size: n = 200 procedures
Topics: Dose reduction techniques Safety culture and compliance Patient dose
Summary based on: the abstract

What it found

Median fluoroscopy time was lower with the flashing warning light than without it.
Key figures: 142.5 s vs 175.0 s (P = .045)
Median dose-area product was lower in the warning light group.
Key figures: 856.8 μGy∙m2 vs 1054.4 μGy∙m2 (P = .043)
In multivariable analysis the warning light reduced fluoroscopy time by about 15%, with a corresponding dose-area product (DAP) reduction.
Key figures: FT -15.4% (-27.0 s; P = .042); DAP -15.2% (160.3 μGy∙m2)
Patient effective dose fell per case, and no adverse events or procedural interference were noted.
Key figures: 0.42 mSv per case

Limits to keep in mind

Single-center pilot trial measuring short-term effect only; outcomes are fluoroscopy time and DAP, not measured staff dose, and operators could not be blinded.

Effects of a Brief Educational Program on Optimization of Fluoroscopy to Minimize Radiation Exposure During Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (2017, Original research)
ICRP Publication 117. Radiological Protection In Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures Performed Outside The Imaging Department (2010, Guideline or consensus statement)
ICRP Draft - Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures (Guideline or consensus statement)
Utilization of a Radiation Safety Time-Out Reduces Radiation Exposure During Electrophysiology Procedures (2019, Prospective cohort study)
Reducing radiation exposure during procedures performed in the electrophysiology laboratory (2017, Retrospective cohort study)

How this summary was made

ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.

Prepared November 3, 2026.