Angiographic-Type Fluoroscopy Course

Welcome to our course on fluoroscopy safety for fixed in-room C-arm fluoroscopes

The State of Texas has promulgated regulations for all physicians who perform fluoroscopically guided interventions. This includes cardiologists, neurointerventionalists, and vascular interventionalists. It also includes all radiologists who perform fluoroscopy and who are not certified by an approved medical radiology board. These regulations will be fully enforced as of 01 May 2015 and physician fluoroscopists not meeting State requirements by that date will be in violation of State law. Fines of up to $4000 per procedure can be levied.

By State of Texas regulation, the course must be approved for 8 CMEU and cover these specific topics:

• principles of radiation protection;
• biological effects of x-ray radiation;
• principles of fluoroscopic systems;
• operation of fluoroscopic systems used for interventional purposes;
• fluoroscopic exposure (air kerma) outputs;
• high level control options;
• dose reduction techniques; and
• procedures for recording pertinent data relative to procedures, specifically:
• patient identification;
• type and date of examination;
• identification of the fluoroscopic system used; and
• cumulative air kerma or dose area product (or other relevant dose data)

This program has been designed to assist you in meeting State requirements.

Completion of this course is a one-time requirement by State-of-Texas regulation and the certificate that is issued is valid anywhere in Texas. Once you complete this course, keep your certificate in a safe area and use it for any other facility outside UTMB or UT Houston. It also may be useful in States other than Texas, should you have the opportunity to practice there in the future.