Table 2 Questions for centres using and not using contact shielding: reasons why using and consequences of its use, reasons why not using and attitude about this policy
From: European survey on the use of patient contact shielding during radiological examinations
Centres using contact shielding | 146 | 64.9% |
Reasons why | ||
I believe shielding is effective to reduce unnecessary dose exposure to sensitive organs | 97 | 66.4% |
Shielding helps patients, carers, parents feel confident about the care received | 81 | 55.5% |
Regulations require us to do so | 76 | 52.1% |
Regulations require us to do so, but I do not believe shielding is effective or needed to reduce unnecessary dose exposure to sensitive organs | 17 | 36.7% |
Consequences of its use | ||
Need to repeat the study due to superimposition of the shield | 107 | 73.3% |
Artefacts | 74 | 50.7% |
Increased dose due to automatic exposure control activation | 65 | 44.5% |
Missed pathology | 51 | 34.9% |
None | 39 | 26.7% |
Infection control issues | 8 | 5.5% |
Centres not using contact shielding | 79 | 35.1% |
Reasons why | ||
It is because contact shielding is not effective or needed to reduce unnecessary dose exposure to sensitive organs | 47 | 59.5% |
It is because contact shielding may impair image quality and diagnostic capability of the examination – and therefore require retakes | 46 | 58.2% |
It is because the automatic exposure control (AEC) may increase the dose | 41 | 51.9% |
I don't know | 12 | 15,2% |
It is because of concerns for hygiene / infections | 4 | 5,1% |
It is because of the physical discomfort it brings to the patient | 4 | 5,1% |
Centres not using contact shielding | 79 | 35.1% |
How do you feel about this policy? | ||
I am OK with this policy | 56 | 70.9% |
I feel uneasy about this policy, as contact shielding may reduce unnecessary exposure to sensitive organs | 10 | 12.7% |
I feel uneasy with patients, as they may think we do not take care of them | 8 | 10.1% |
With children, I feel uneasy with their parents/carers, as they think we do not take care of them | 5 | 6.3% |
I don't know | 4 | 5.1% |
I feel uneasy with patients, as I am not able to explain effectively to them why they are not shielded | 3 | 3.8% |