Did you know that today, April 15th we celebrate Radiation Protection Day In Brazil and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean? This date was not chosen at random; it marks a historic achievement for science on our continent: on April 15, 1996, the Argentinian scientist Dr. Dan Beninson He became the first Latin American to receive the Sievert Prize, the highest global honor in the field of radiation protection, during the 9th IRPA International Congress in Vienna.
Who was Dan Beninson? Dr. Beninson was an absolute pioneer whose legacy has guided nuclear institutions to this day. In addition to founding the Argentine Society for Radiological Protection (SAR), he was a founding member of IRPA and chaired the... International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)His role was fundamental in the development of Basic Safety Standards from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the 1960s.
What defines Radiation Protection in Medicine? This refers to an essential set of measures aimed at protecting patients, professionals, and the public from the adverse effects of ionizing radiation. In radiological practice, this concept has evolved since Röntgen's discovery of X-rays in 1895 and Marie Curie's research, which laid the foundation for the medical use of radiation.
Pillars for the Radiologist:
The fundamentals we must pay attention to daily when using ionizing radiation for diagnosis and therapy in healthcare include:
● Justification: No examination should be ordered, nor should any new diagnostic imaging protocol be performed, if the benefit to the patient does not outweigh the risk of performing it. According to the medical code of ethics, we are responsible for our patients' procedures.
● Optimization (ALARA Principle): The radiation doses used in examinations and procedures should be kept "as low as reasonably achievable," always evaluating clinical protocols and applying dose adjustments. DRL or NRD are dose references for a group of patients with similar characteristics (such as biotype, clinical indication). Additionally, reference levels (DRL) are used to promote diagnostic effectiveness with the lowest possible risk.
● Dose Limitation: Pay attention to the established annual dose limits to protect occupationally exposed workers and the public.
Today, the Radiological Protection Committee of the Brazilian College of Radiology, together with the Latin Safe initiative, reinforces the importance of a safety culture and the exchange of knowledge to strengthen diagnostic and interventional radiology in Brazil. Ensuring the protection of both patients and professionals is a highly complex and responsible mission that we carry out every day in our clinical practice and involves a multidisciplinary team.
Beyond simply acknowledging the importance of the date, it is crucial that each professional actively monitor the implementation of these practices within their institution, evaluating routines, protocols, and dose descriptors, and promoting continuous improvements that solidify a safety culture.
Visit the new website of the CBR's Radiological Protection Commission and use the available content and guidelines as a practical tool to improve your processes.
The Radiological Protection Commission of the CBR is in partnership with the Latin Safe promoting educational initiatives for Brazil and Latin America.