Scottsdale, Ariz.-based HonorHealth will become one of the nation's first health systems to install radiation protection shields in its hospitals.
The shields will be installed to reduce physician radiation exposure at hospitals that perform cardiovascular interventions, according to a Sept. 3 news release from HonorHealth shared with Becker's.
Radiation shields have previously been available for use at the HonorHealth Research Institute in the Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. HonorHealth plans to purchase and install shields at four more of its medical centers: John C. Lincoln and Deer Valley in Phoenix, Scottsdale Osborn and Scottsdale Thompson Peak.
The shields may also reduce orthopedic injury if physicians can forgo wearing traditional lead aprons during procedures using X-ray radiation, though that step has not been approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
"Our Mission is to improve the health and well-being of those we serve," John Neil, MD, HonorHealth executive vice president, chief physician executive and network strategy officer, said in the release. "That includes protecting the health and well-being of those who dedicate their professional careers to saving lives and caring for others."