In an open letter to the medical imaging community published Aug. 19, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine clarified its position statement of April 2, which called for patient gonadal and fetal shielding to be discontinued as routine practice.

AAPM Open Letter of August 19

AAPM Position Statement of April 2

In the letter, AAPM President Cynthia H. McCollough, Ph.D., FAAPM, FACR, FAIMBE, called for “continuing the conversation within the stakeholder community and working together to develop educational information about the use of patient shielding.” Dr. McCollough also recognized that “different opinions, perspectives, and recommendations have been voiced as to what constitutes best practice with regard to the use of patient gonadal and fetal shielding.”

At its annual meeting in June, the ASRT Board of Directors had extensive discussions about the issue. At this time, the ASRT Board has not endorsed the recommendation to discontinue established gonadal and fetal shielding protocols. ASRT continues to call for further discussion on the topic. In addition, ASRT representatives are serving on the AAPM committee that is examining this issue.

ASRT Update on Shielding Position of July 2

ASRT members with comments, questions or concerns about the AAPM position may contact the organization directly at cares@aapm.org.