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Hospital and Physician Financial Impact and Risk Profile of Medical Radiation


Recent advances in the field of interventional cardiology, electrophysiology (EP), and medical imaging have been associated with increased utilization of ionizing radiation. EP fluoroscopic guided procedures including complex catheter ablation and implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices have resulted in high radiation exposures to patients, medical staff, and electrophysiologists. The short-term effects of high radiation exposures can result in temporary suspension of lab personnel including both medical staff and physicians. However, the long-term effects more importantly can lead to patient health complications and physician/lab staff occupational hazards such as orthopedic complications and radiation-induced illnesses. The monetary impact can be significant resulting in substantial financial losses to the hospital and physician. Financial losses related to medical radiation exposure are increasingly incurred by both the hospital and interventional electrophysiologists. The hospital costs include 1) loss of revenue due to physician and/or medical staff being “benched” due to excessive radiation exposure, 2) the added costs of salary payment for the non-producing electrophysologist or staff, 3) costs of health, disability, and liability insurance to treat physician and lab personnel complications of orthopedic and radiation-induced illnesses, and 4) possible patient medico-legal payments as a result of lawsuits due to health issues from high radiation exposure. As more physicians are leaving their practice to become hospital employees, the financial impact on the hospital will be even more burdensome. Financial losses to the electrophysiologists can be due to restricted laboratory time and procedures as a result of high radiation exposure and time off from orthopedic complications from chronic use of wearing lead aprons or in the treatment of radiation-induced illnesses. As a result of the clear financial impact and medical risks to the hospital, physician, and patient, it will become increasingly important to ensure the adoption of institutional policies, the implementation of sound working practices, and essential training of the lab staff and physician to lower radiation exposure complications. Efforts are needed now to create a radiation-safe working environment with the goal to reduce radiation exposure and prevent both health-related complications and unnecessary financial losses.

Credits: Gery F. Tomassoni

Biosense Webster
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