Changes in Shielding Practice for Radiographers—Implications for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) published a position statement regarding the limitation of fetal and gonadal shielding in radiographic imaging procedures. For the imaging community, this statement was alarming, as shielding patients was one of the longest-held principles of imaging technologists. In an effort to alleviate the concerns of technologists and other professionals working in medical imaging, the AAPM created a committee of professionals in the field to disseminate education about the change called the Communicating Advances in Radiation Education Committee. This committee published a frequently asked questions document addressing the concerns of technologists and educators in the field of medical imaging and providing guidance on educating patients and other health professionals. This article seeks to provide an overview of the change in shielding practice, the science that fueled the change, and the implications for healthcare professionals and patients in the medical imaging department. Although technologists, nurses, and any other participating personnel proximal to radiation production must protect themselves, in most instances, patients do not need to be shielded and in fact, may be harmed by the use of shields. Future research should focus on the attitudes of technologists and patients toward shielding and whether or not all medical professionals and the public are informed about shielding recommendations.