https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06558-9
Regular Article
Dose estimation for interventional radiology staff: an update workload survey using a dose-tracking system
1
Medical Physics Unit, USL Toscana Sud-Est, Grosseto, Italy
2
Medical Physics Unit, USL Toscana Sud-Est, Siena, Italy
3
Technical Health Department, USL Toscana Sud-Est, Grosseto, Italy
a
eleonora.bortoli@uslsudest.toscana.it
Received:
11
February
2025
Accepted:
16
June
2025
Published online:
25
June
2025
This study presents a methodology for estimating occupational radiological risk to staff members by analysing updated workload distributions for various interventional procedures. The Tuscany Regional Commission for the Prevention of Risks from Ionising Radiation has published a practical method for estimating the effective dose received by an operator. Utilising a dose monitoring system (DoseWatch), we acquired workload data from 3′066 interventional procedures, encompassing 214′697 distinct radiation exposures. Our analysis focused on two key parameters: the frequency distribution of tube peak voltages (kVp) and the voltage-dependent tube current (mA) distribution across different clinical specialities. This broad dataset enabled the development of statistically robust workload distribution analysis for various interventional procedures. By integrating these distributions with theoretical dose calculations, we established critical beam-on time thresholds at which operators working at a standardised distance of 1 m would likely exceed regulatory dose limits. The methodology allows for prospective risk assessment based on expected workload and procedure type. Notably, the mA distributions exhibited significant inter-speciality variation, highlighting the necessity for discipline-specific radiation protection protocols in interventional radiology. This research advances the field by synthesising theoretical dosimetry with empirical operational data. It results in a more precise and clinically relevant approach to radiation risk assessment for interventional radiology personnel. The methodology enables evidence-based optimisation of radiation protection strategies while accounting for procedure-specific variations in exposure parameters.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
