The legislation allows medical staff to forgo lead aprons in procedure rooms equipped with validated radiation protection systems.
Gov Katie Hobbs has signed Senate Bill 1121, establishing new standards for radiation protection in Arizona hospitals. The legislation permits physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to perform certain procedures without lead aprons when specific shielding technology is in place.
Under the new law, hospitals that perform cardiac catheterization procedures involving real-time X-ray imaging may not require staff to wear lead aprons if the procedure room is equipped with a radiation protection system. These systems must be used according to manufacturer instructions and provide shielding effectiveness equal to or greater than a 0.25 millimeter lead-equivalent apron.
Healthcare professionals who choose not to wear lead aprons must wear a real-time dosimeter device to monitor radiation exposure. Additionally, the law does not prohibit staff from voluntarily choosing to wear a lead apron during these procedures.
A hospital radiation safety officer or their designee maintains the authority to require lead aprons, thyroid collars, or other personal protective equipment if they determine that staff exposure will approach occupational dose thresholds or elevated levels.
Policy Shift
According to Salus Scientific, the shift in policy follows growing concerns regarding clinician burnout, workforce shortages, and occupational injuries within the healthcare sector. Traditional lead garments have been associated with chronic orthopedic strain and cumulative physical demands that can impact career longevity for specialists in interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery.
The company, which focuses on occupational wellness, suggests the legislation reflects a shift toward a hierarchy-of-controls approach that prioritizes engineering solutions to reduce risk at the source.
“Arizona has demonstrated extraordinary leadership by recognizing that healthcare worker safety should evolve alongside technological innovation,” says Dan Lormon, vice president of global medical affairs and engagement at Salus Scientific, in a release. “For decades, physicians, nurses, technologists, and other healthcare professionals have accepted significant physical burdens as part of their profession. This legislation challenges that assumption and opens the door for a broader national discussion about how we better protect the people who care for patients every day.”
The company believes the Arizona law provides a model for other states to evaluate how modern radiation protection technologies can be incorporated into future workplace safety standards.
“This is about far more than lead aprons,” says Todd Flohr, CEO of Salus Scientific, in a release. “It is about preserving careers, reducing occupational injuries, improving workplace wellness, and ensuring that the next generation of healthcare professionals can practice in safer environments.”
The law officially amends Title 36 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, adding specific language regarding procedures involving ionizing radiation. Salus Scientific encourages healthcare leaders and professional organizations across the US to engage in evidence-based discussions regarding the role of emerging technologies in protecting healthcare professionals.
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