Reducing Radiation-Related Risks

Funded by a generous charitable donation, Torrance Memorial installs a radiation protection system to enhance the safety and comfort of the Cath Lab team.

Physicians, nurses, technicians and others who work in the Torrance Memorial Medical Center Cardiac Catheterization Lab use advanced X-ray imaging technology to provide lifesaving diagnostic and therapeutic care for patients every day. However, when an X-ray beam strikes the patient’s body, it causes lower-energy radiation to spread out—or scatter—in different directions. Cath lab team members must wear heavy protective lead aprons during all procedures to block this scatter radiation and reduce the associated risks of cancer and cataracts. 

To further reduce these radiation-related risks, Torrance Memorial recently became the first hospital in California to install the EggNest Protect system. Made possible by a generous donation, EggNest features a specially designed cardiac cath lab platform that offers 360-degree radiation protection, shielding staff and reducing radiation exposure by 97% to 99%. This protection allows team members to wear lightweight aprons, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. 

“Many people don’t think about the risk of radiation exposure that comes with working in the cath lab because even though the procedures we perform are radiation-dependent, it’s something you can’t see,” says Andrea Alarcon, RN, manager of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “But research has shown the risk of cancer and cataracts from radiation exposure—and musculoskeletal disorders from wearing heavy lead aprons—increases for people who work in a cath lab.” 

As a regional referral center for complex percutaneous coronary intervention and a national destination for chronic total occlusion care, the Torrance Memorial Cath Lab provides advanced treatment for some of the sickest patients with the most challenging cardiac conditions. 

“Some of the complex, high-risk procedures we perform take hours, and wearing the lead for that length of time can cause significant discomfort, fatigue and strain on the body,” says Alarcon. “By wearing ultralight lead, we can improve physician and team member comfort—which means we can focus all our energy and attention on providing the highest-quality patient care.” 

But even when wearing protective lead, Alarcon says, the team’s shins, arms, eyes and head are still exposed. EggNest uses a shield to block scatter radiation, providing all-around protection for everyone in the cath lab. 

“With EggNest, I can perform my work with more peace of mind because I don’t have to worry about the deleterious effects of radiation exposure and the risk of cancer—and I can get out of heavy lead,” says Torrance Memorial interventional cardiologist Chris Matchison, MD. 

According to R. Michael Wyman, MD, another interventional cardiologist at Torrance Memorial, implementing EggNest has long-term benefits for team members, patients, the hospital and the community. “It’s not uncommon for cath lab team members to sustain career-ending injuries from wearing lead or develop other health problems related to radiation exposure. For prospective team members or those who are just entering the field, choosing a center that offers the enhanced protection of EggNest can reduce work-related risks. While our team members will certainly benefit from the increased protection, our patients and our community will also benefit from improved access to expert care delivered by experienced providers.”