Practice policy and quality initiatives: strategies for optimizing staff safety in a radiology department.

Employees in a radiology department are exposed to multiple risks, including injuries due to radiation exposure, poor ergonomics, or repetitive stress; those caused by wearing lead aprons or moving heavy equipment for portable studies; and needle sticks resulting in exposure to body fluids. Strategies to mitigate or prevent such risks include ergonomics initiatives for radiologists and technologists, appointment of a radiation safety officer to ensure compliance with radiation dose guidelines and policies, and use of equipment that prevents exposure to body fluids. In addition, there are regulations and guidelines from various government bodies on occupational radiation dose limits, handling of isotopes and chemotherapy agents, contact with patients with airborne infections, and needle stick injuries. A comprehensive staff safety program was developed for a clinical radiology department to provide a framework for staff injury prevention. The important parts of a staff safety program are observational safety audits and walkabouts and a safety reporting tool for employees. Faculty education about workplace environmental risks and their consequences, compliance with policies and guidelines on environmental safety, and development of a culture that encourages surveillance, reporting, and prompt action will go a long way toward improving overall safety for all workers in a radiology department.