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Pregnancy Screening, Shielding and Image Gently
Ask, document and consult before imaging a possibly pregnant patient. Protect children by sizing the technique, not by adding lead.
Pregnancy screening
Before imaging, ask every patient of childbearing age whether she is or may be pregnant, following your facility's age range and policy. Record the answer, often on a signed form. If she may be pregnant, stop and notify the radiologist or ordering provider before the exam. They decide whether to proceed, delay, order a pregnancy test or use another modality such as ultrasound or MRI. If the exam goes ahead, collimate tightly, avoid repeats and document what was done.