Documentary highlights radiation exposure, security for healthcare workers

“Scattered Denial,” A groundbreaking new PBS documentary, co-produced by Dr. David Rizik of HonorHealth Research Institute, aims to showcase efforts taken by doctors, nurses and technicians to reduce radiation exposure while in operating rooms.

As radiation use in medical procedures continues to increase, ensuring the safety of those who handle radiation is more important than ever.

This documentary delves into the latest advancements in radiation security measures, showcasing innovative practices, technological improvements and regulatory changes designed to protect healthcare workers. Through interviews with experts and on-the-ground footage, viewers will gain insight into the ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing radiation exposure and enhancing workplace safety.

X-ray exposure for surgeons has significantly increased.

“For the last 30 to 40 years there has been a big increase in cardiac surgeries or cardiac procedures that use real-time X-ray. In fact today, many, if not most of the cardiac procedures that we use utilize X-ray.” Rizik said.

The only prevention that surgeons would use was lead aprons that reached from the clavicle to just above the knee according to Rizik.

“Doctors, nurses and technicians who perform these procedures are exposed to radiation. Their head, their neck, their face, their arms and their legs are not covered by these lead aprons. There is day-long radiation exposure and if you multiply that by 20 or 30 years they have been doing these procedures, you can see that radiation exposure adds up.” Rizik said.

This means these medical professionals face things like a higher rate of cancer, glaucoma and a number of other radiation-induced injuries.

The improvements highlighted in this documentary are led by a new shield that is much improved from the led apron.

“The new shield is something that you don’t have to wear. It is a shield that envelopes the source of the X-ray and to some extent to the patient. So these new shields give better protection and you don’t have to wear the lead apron. Our studies have shown that we can reduce radiation exposure by greater than 99 percent and not have to wear the lead apron.” Rizik said.

Discover how these efforts are shaping the future of healthcare safety and protecting those on the front lines of patient care by watching a preview here and tuning into the documentary on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m.