Radiation safety for anaesthetists

Anaesthetists are increasingly exposed to ionizing radiation while facilitating diagnosis and treatment in many settings. This can be as interventional practitioners, commonly in pain medicine, intensive care, and during vascular access procedures. A logical drive towards minimally invasive and safer interventions has led to an expansion in the use of fluoroscopy by a greater number of specialities including anaesthesia. In addition, better access to radiological services has increased to the point where X-rays can be performed in most clinical areas and CT scanning/fluoroscopyguided interventions occur 24 h a day. Unfortunately, this increase in exposure has not been paralleled by an increase in education about the safe use of ionizing radiation. It is important that anaesthetists do not rely on allied medical professionals to protect themselves and their patients from harm. When utilizing fluoroscopy, the anaesthetist should be aware of, and comply with the regulations surrounding the use of ionizing radiation and make the most effective use of the equipment to ensure exposure is kept as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).