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Diagnostic ionizing radiation and pregnancy: is there a concern?
Diagnostic ionizing radiation and pregnancy: is there a concern?
- Collection:
- Health Policy and Services Research
- Series Title(s):
- Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
- Contributor(s):
- Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices. - Publication:
- [Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2008
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Text
- Subject(s):
- Diagnostic Imaging -- adverse effects
Diagnostic Imaging -- methods
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Embryo, Mammalian -- radiation effects
Fetus -- radiation effects
Pregnancy -- radiation effects
Radiation Dosage
Radiation Injuries -- etiology
Radiation, Ionizing
Pennsylvania
United States - Genre(s):
- Technical Report
- Abstract:
- Both pregnant patients and physicians may overestimate the risk of an ionizing diagnostic radiation examination on the conceptus. Fetal health effects of ionizing radiation vary according to the radiation dose absorbed and gestational phase at the time of exposure. The effects of ionizing radiation are cumulative. Performing multiple diagnostic radiation procedures on a pregnant woman may place the conceptus at risk for negative health effects. PA-PSRS has received more than 90 reports of pregnant patients being exposed to diagnostic ionizing radiation since the program's inception in June 2004. Many involved performing a radiologic procedure on a patient who was unaware of the pregnancy. Risk reduction strategies include delaying nonurgent radiographs; using a diagnostic examination not involving ionizing radiation; ensuring radiographic equipment is in proper working order; and encouraging open communication among the healthcare team and patient to ensure that the most appropriate study is used to obtain the maximum amount of information while reducing exposure to the fetus.
- Copyright:
- Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
- NLM Unique ID:
- 101567383 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101567383