Radiation and Orthopedic Safety

Cardiac sonographers and interventional echocardiographers face two occupational hazards that threaten their health and shorten careers: ionizing radiation and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). ASE works to protect the safety, well-being, and longevity of the workforce. This is an effort that is also a patient-access issue, since preventable injuries reduce the supply of skilled professionals needed to deliver cardiovascular care.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Repetitive, physically demanding nature of scanning makes WRMSDs one of the larger threats to the cardiovascular ultrasound workforce. Up to 90% of sonographers experience scanning-related pain, and roughly 20% sustain a career-altering injury. ASE advocates for safe, ergonomically sound working conditions, with shared responsibility among manufacturers to design adjustable equipment and lightweight transducers, employers to build workflows that limit repetitive strain, and sonographers to practice good ergonomics.

Radiation Safety

Although echocardiography itself is radiation-free, the professionals who perform it are increasingly exposed to ionizing radiation during fluoroscopically guided procedures and when scanning recently radioactive patients. ASE supports stronger occupational radiation protections and the expanded use of Enhanced Radiation Protection Systems (ERPS). ERPS are nonwearable shielding that offers an alternative to heavy lead aprons, which themselves contribute to musculoskeletal injury.

Recommendations

ASE recommends:

• Expand access to ERPS as an alternative to traditional lead aprons
• Strengthen radiation safety standards and monitoring for staff exposed during fluoroscopic procedures
• Promote ergonomic standards for equipment design, lab workflow, and scheduling
• Support research on occupational radiation exposure and WRMSDs in the echocardiography workforce