Arizona lawmakers are considering three bills that would require hospitals to provide additional protections against long-term radiation exposure risk for clinicians, AZMirror reported March 12.
The legislation comes in reaction to increased cancer rates among cardiovascular interventionalists. Studies show these specialists have a higher rate of brain tumors, specifically on the side of the brain nearest the machine used in catheter procedures. Currently, clinicians wear large lead vests to protect them from radiation in catheter labs or similar procedures that use live X-rays. However, these vests only cover the chest and abdomen and can result in back problems from long-term use.
Senate Bill 1120 would require healthcare facilities to install enhanced radiation protection systems, which use various shields that stop radiation, in at least half of their rooms. The new system would negate the use of lead vests, but reduce radiation exposure by 99%, according to the report.
S.B. 1120 comes with two companion bills that prohibit healthcare facilities from making providers wear a lead vest if they have one of these systems in place, and creates a grant program for an unspecified amount in the upcoming budget to assist rural hospitals with installing the new systems.
The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association said it “respects the efforts of the bill sponsor and the providers advocating for stronger protections. However, we will remain focused on reducing unfunded mandates on hospitals, particularly at a time when many health systems are already preparing for potential policy and funding changes at the federal level that will impact the healthcare industry across the board.”
State Sen. Carine Werner, a Republican who sponsored all three bills, argues that the $150,000 price tag for the systems shouldn’t be a problem since it’s only required on half of the procedure rooms, the report said. She also argues that hospitals will save money in the long run from retaining talent and reducing injury.
The three bills have received support in the Senate but are waiting to be heard by the state House of Representatives.
