Introduction: In the case of an emergency radiological examination in a pregnant woman,
the clinical question is whether the most appropriate diagnostic modality for pregnant
women should be chosen to ensure sufficient image quality at the lowest possible fetal dose.
The examination must be justified and carefully planned. In order to minimise the dose
burden, we use various ways of dose reduction. Purpose: The aim of the degree was to find
out how and to what extent radiographers in Slovenia protect pregnant women undergoing
examinations using ionising radiation, and to examine the ways in which pregnancy is
detected in patients prior to the examination. We wanted to present European and Slovenian
legislation governing protection against ionising radiation and the 10-day and 28-day rules
for the protection of pregnant women. Methods: In the first part of the study, we reviewed
the scientific literature. The second part involved online questionnaire about pregnancy
screening, the use of protective equipment in imaging of pregnant women, possible
adjustments to imaging protocols, recording of data regarding the examination performed on
the pregnant woman, and knowledge of and adherence to the 10- and 28-day rule. Results:
With questionnaire we found that 51% of radiographers use protective equipment, but due
to the new guidelines, some will no longer use it. In order to reduce the dose exposure, some
institutions use adapted protocols, which are optimised in agreement with the radiologist
and/or the referring physician. When evaluating a possible pregnancy radiographers follow
the 28-day rule, as it is considered to be more established than the 10-day rule (43%). 51%
of radiographers record the examination of the pregnant woman on the prenatal imaging
form, in the medical record, in a dedicated notebook or chart, and on the internal referral
note. The radiographer should ask all menstruating patients about the possibility of
pregnancy, and we have found that most of them are screened between the ages of 15 and
50, which 34 % of them record. Discussion and conclusion: Most respondents use
protective equipment, but some will stop as the new guidelines come into effect.
Radiographers ask patients about the possibility of pregnancy at the time of menstruation.
They also record any tests carried out. It would be useful to find out which rules, in addition
to the 10- and 28-day rule, are followed when imaging patients with the possible pregnant
women and to extend the survey to magnetic resonance imaging.
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