Patient Shielding in Diagnostic Imaging: Discontinuing a Legacy Practice

Abstract

Objective: Patient shielding is standard practice in diagnostic imaging, despite growing evidence that it provides negligible or no benefit and carries a substantial risk of increasing patient dose and compromising the diagnostic efficacy of an image. The historical rationale for patient shielding is described, and the folly of its continued use is discussed.

Conclusion: Although change is difficult, it is incumbent on radiologic technologists, medical physicists, and radiologists to abandon the practice of patient shielding in radiology.

Keywords: gonadal shielding; patient safety; patient shielding; radiation; shielding.