This material was developed to comply with the   Massachusetts  Department of Public Health's   regulatory requirement that hospitals "... establish   policies and procedures for restricting the use of   fluoroscopic systems to only those physicians who   have been granted privileges for the use of fluoro-   scopy based on a determination of  adequate   training and knowledge ..." (see Mass State for   the full text.)

These regulations result from reports of "... occasional, but at times severe, radiation-induced skin injuries to patients resulting from prolonged, fluoroscopically guided invasive procedures" (FDA Advisory). Such injuries have continued to occur even after the Advisory was re-issued and updated in 1996.

This program provides educational information on fluoroscopy radiation risks and methods to reduce these risks to both patients and personnel. The initial training program consists of an On-Line Fluoro Tutorial (with an on-line Quiz) and a Fluoro Equipment In-Service one hour “lab”). After successful completion of initial training, the annual training requirement for subsequent years can be met by completing the On-line fluoro tutorial for annual re-credentialing. Note: Radiologists must complete initial training, but are exempt from subsequent annual training.

Target Audience

All licensed physicians, including fellows and residents, who operate (i.e., direct hands-on control) or anticipate operating fluoroscopic equipment at BMC, including (but not limited to) anesthesiologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, interventionalists, orthopedists, pain management physicians, pulmonologists, radiologists, surgeons, and urologists.