TH-B-12A-01: TG124 "A Guide for Establishing a Credentialing and Privileging Program for Users of Fluoroscopic Equipment in Healthcare Organizations".

Fluoroscopy credentialing and privileging programs are being instituted because of recorded patient injuries and the widespread growth in fluoroscopy use by operators whose medical education did not include formal fluoroscopy training. This lack of training is recognized as a patient safety deficiency, and medical physicists and health physicists are finding themselves responsible for helping to establish fluoroscopy credentialing programs. While physicians are very knowledgeable about clinical credentials review and the privileging process, medical physicists and health physicists are not as familiar with the process and associated requirements. To assist the qualified medical physicist (QMP) and the radiation safety officer (RSO) with these new responsibilities, TG 124 provides an overview of the credentialing process, guidance for policy development and incorporating trained fluoroscopy users into a facility's established process, as well as recommendations for developing and maintaining a risk-based fluoroscopy safety training program. This lecture will review the major topics addressed in TG124 and relate them to practical situations. LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Understand the difference between credentialing and privileging. 2. Understand the responsibilities, interaction and coordination among key individuals and committees. 3. Understand options for integrating the QMP and/or RSO and Radiation Safety Committee into the credentialing and privileging process. 4. Understand issues related to implementing the fluoroscopy safety training recommendations and with verifying and documenting successful completion.