Effective for 2025, Georgian Radiology Consultants (GRC) will no longer be using routine lead shielding for patients undergoing x-ray exams at any of our locations. This is in accordance with the most recent recommendations as well as best practice guidelines which are endorsed & supported by a number of medical scientific associations and organizations both within Canada and internationally.
This shift in practice is occurring not just locally but also within the broader radiology community. Our decision to adapt our policies is not only based on scientific evidence, but is also in alignment with the changes happening in clinics and hospitals across Canada, the UK and the US. Many other facilities are also providing position statements regarding lead shielding on their websites as well.
There are 3 main reasons why patient shielding is no longer recommended and why the radiology industry at large is shifting towards this change:
1) Over 70 years of emerging research has shown that no human studies provide direct evidence of harmful effects on reproductive organs (i.e. gonads), the unborn fetus, or an excess of heritable disease. Research has also shown us that our organs are not as sensitive to radiation as previously believed back when lead shielding was first developed.
2) Advancements in Radiological imaging technology equipment and routine exam practices have improved so dramatically over the decades that patients receive approximately 25 times less radiation today than they did over 50 years ago.
3) Different body compositions and physiology can cause lead shielding to be misplaced which can both defeat the purpose of the exam as well as increase the patient’s dose. Possible increases in dose with lead shielding can come from the shield covering up anatomy that the doctor needs to see which means the x-ray may be repeated, as well as interfering with the proper operation of modern radiology equipment.
Our Medical Radiation Technologists and Radiologists here at GRC are committed to patient care, safety and providing quality diagnostic imaging exams for all of Simcoe-Muskoka County and abroad. Part of our professional duty to you, the patient, is constantly evaluating policies, procedures, industry standards and best practices. As the research has shown us, lead shielding for patients provides negligible benefit and can introduce unnecessary risks, making its routine use obsolete. GRC therefore believes there is enough scientific evidence to change our lead shielding policy.
We understand that this may raise more questions for some patients and have developed the following FAQ’s.
Patient shielding is no longer recommended due to the decades of research that tell us its effectiveness is negligible with today’s advanced equipment. And in fact if any part of the shield gets near the area we are trying to x-ray, it could actually increase your dose. Since our digital equipment gives us better images using less radiation, patient shields are no longer considered beneficial.
Since you are not the patient having the x-ray, any exposure you receive in this case is of no medical benefit to you and is considered unnecessary. Whereas your child is receiving a very minimal dose and their x-ray exam is for their medical benefit. Children also receive much lower doses than adults and shielding them can interfere with the x-ray. There is no risk that the lead apron you wear will negatively impact your child’s exam.
The discontinued use of lead shielding only applies to patients who are receiving the x-ray exam. It is necessary for the patient to be exposed to radiation in order to obtain the exam, but it is not necessary for healthcare workers or assisting family members or caregivers to be exposed. The exposure this group of people receives while remaining in the x-ray room during the exam mainly comes from scatter radiation from the patient, which occurs as x-rays pass through and bounce off the patient’s body and toward the staff member, parent, family member or caregiver. Therefore those people must still wear lead aprons to absorb that scatter.
Healthy cells have time to repair themselves against small doses of radiation and in between x-ray exposures. There is continually-increasing evidence that the risk from multiple exams is not cumulative.
Policy changes take time – before any facility can change its procedural practice, it must be placed into written protocols. In Ontario, this is a requirement under the College of Medical Radiation Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO) Safe Practice Guidelines. Changes to written protocols take time for the Radiologists and the Radiation Protection Officer to review and approve before they can be put into practice. Our team of Medical Radiation Technologists are all informed and educated with the latest best practice guidelines and our written policies.
Understandably, pregnant patients may have a higher concern about x-ray exposure during their pregnancy. We have developed an updated pregnancy policy as well as pregnancy-specific information which can be found here: “For Your Information – X-rays During Pregnancy.”
We understand that this change may seem sudden from the patient’s point of view. But remember, this shift in practice is based on decades of scientific research within the radiology field. Our policy at GRC is to no longer routinely provide lead shielding to any patient, which means our Technologists will not offer it to you. However, if you request shielding, it will only be provided at the professional discretion of the Technologist based on the exam being performed AND only when the shield will not interfere or compromise the exam.
This information in this section of our website has been developed in part with supporting documentation from the following:
To book an appt, please FAX the requisition to 705-726-8056
Or for your Ultrasound, BMD, Nuclear Medicine Appointment BOOK HERE with your name, phone number, and a clear copy of your requisition.
X rays are walk in only. Please do not email/fax X ray requisitions.
Before coming to one of our clinics, please remember:
1. Your valid health card.
2. A signed requisition order or high-risk requisition order from your doctor.
3. Wearing masks is optional but encouraged.
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