Disclosures: Danielle L. Sarno: Nothing to disclose

Objective: To test the hypothesis that our simulation-based education curriculum is an effective tool for reducing radiation exposure during interventional pain procedures.

Design: Prospective Cohort Study

Setting: Pain Management Center at an academic hospital

Participants: Pain Management fellows, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents, and Anesthesiology residents

Interventions: We have developed an Interventional Pain Simulation Center where Pain Management fellows, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residents, and Anesthesiology residents perform a range of interventional pain procedures utilizing a cadaveric spine model encased in a thermoplastic gel matrix. In this study, the trainees performed lumbar epidural steroid injections, interlaminar and transforaminal approaches, prior to a didactic session, then received instruction regarding proper procedural techniques and radiation safety basics, and finally, performed the same procedures again.

Main Outcome Measures: The time required to complete the procedure, number of fluoroscopic images taken, fluoroscopic time, and radiation exposure dosage were recorded for all procedures.

Results: Compared to pre-didactic session values, the mean procedure time, number of fluoroscopic images taken, fluoroscopic time, and radiation exposure dosage all decreased for the procedures following the formal didactic session.

Conclusions: The reduction in radiation exposure measurements for these common interventional pain procedures demonstrates the value of our interventional pain simulation curriculum, which utilizes an innovative approach to radiation safety education.

Level of Evidence: Level II

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/simulation-based-education-for-reducing-radiation-exposure-during-interventional-pain-procedures/