In plain language
AORN's perioperative radiation safety guideline recommends safety programs with a radiation safety officer, dosimetry, inspected and tested lead protection, radiation safety time outs, extra measures for pregnant staff, ongoing training and annual program review for OR fluoroscopy teams.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Guideline or consensus statement
- Who was studied
- Nurses, Other surgeons, Mixed lab staff, Patients
- Where
- United States
- Topics
- Personal protective equipmentRoom shielding and protective devicesDosimetry and monitoringPregnancy and reproductive healthTraining and educationRegulation and policySafety culture and complianceDose reduction techniquesCancer risk
- Summary based on
- a web page
What it found
Scatter radiation is identified as the most common source of exposure for OR teams.
The guideline recommends a radiation safety program with a designated radiation safety officer, team exposure monitoring and appropriate shielding.
Pregnant team members should follow regulatory dose limits, wear a wraparound apron and wear a second dosimeter at waist level under the apron.
Protective gear should be visually inspected for damage before use and tested regularly for effectiveness.
Facilities should retain exposure records and review radiation safety programs at least annually. Team members should receive role-appropriate education and show competency.
Key figures: at least annually
Limits to keep in mind
The source is an AORN staff web summary of the guideline's recommendations, not the full guideline. It reports no data, effect sizes or evidence grading for individual recommendations.
Related research summaries
- Occupational Protection in Interventional Radiology. A Joint Guideline of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe and the Society of Interventional Radiology (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
- SCAI Multi-Society Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards (2020, Guideline or consensus statement)
- AST Standards for Ionizing Radiation Exposure (Guideline or consensus statement)
- Radiation protection practices in diagnostic and interventional cardiology: Position paper from Portuguese Association of Interventional Cardiology (2025, Guideline or consensus statement)
- Radiation safety program for the cardiac catheterization laboratory (2011, Guideline or consensus statement)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from a web page 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.