Improving Patient Safety: Implementing Dose Monitoring Software in Fluoroscopically Guided Interventions

Purpose: To assess whether dose monitoring software can be successfully implemented in fluoroscopically guided interventions and to provide dose data based on levels of complexity. Materials and Methods: After launching the software (DoseWateh; GE Healthcare Systems, Buc, France), data were collected for 6 months and analyzed by means of kerma-area product (KAP; Gy/cm(2)), cumulative air kerma (K-A,K-R; Gy), and fluoroscopic time (minutes). Data analysis was executed by level of complexity as graded by the operators. Complexity grading was based on factors such as tortuosity and calcification of vessel, variant anatomy, and patient cooperation. Results: The software successfully transferred dose data of 357 fluoroscopically guided procedures. KAP was 0.238-400 Gy/cm(2) with mean, median, and 75th percentile values of 46.0 Gy/cm(2), 163.2 Gy/cm(2), and 541.1 Gy/cm(2) (K-A,K-R, 0.013-4.1 Gy; mean, median, 75th percentile, 0.48 Gy, 0.97 Gy, 3.98 Gy). Highest dose values were seen in transarterial chemoembolization (KAP mean, median, 75th percentile, 229.5 Gy/cm(2), 216.4 Gy/cm(2), 299.9 Gy/cm(2); K-A,K-R mean, median, 75th percentile, 1.9 Gy, 1.2 Gy, 1.7 Gy). Analysis revealed that the level of complexity strongly correlated with KAP (r = 0.88; P < .001) whereas there was no direct correlation of KAP and fluoroscopy time. During the same intervention, K-A,K-R and fluoroscopy time increased with level of complexity, but the correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Implementation of dose monitoring software in fluoroscopically guided interventions can be successfully accomplished, and it facilitates data comparison.