Beyond Radiation Exposure: Investigating the Complex Dimensions of Safety in the Catheter Laboratory

Introduction: Catheterization laboratories are high-risk clinical environments where complex procedures are performed under time pressure and with radiation exposure.Qualitative research addressing the lived experiences of healthcare professionals in cath labs remains limited.This study aims to explore in depth the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals working in cath labs regarding patient and staff safety.Methods: This study used a qualitative research design based on interpretative phenomenological analysis.A total of 24 healthcare professionals from various occupational groups working in cath labs across Trkiye were included in the study through purposive and snowball sampling.Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed inductively using a thematic content analysis.Data analysis was performed using NVivo 10 software.Results: Two main themes emerged from this study: Risks and Measures.The most frequently reported risk was radiation exposure, followed by infection, pharmaceutical hazards, patient falls, excessive workload, and untrained personnel.Regarding safety measures, participants emphasized the importance of using radiationprotective equipment, maintaining accurate medical records, adhering to aseptic practices, implementing fall prevention strategies, ensuring adequate staffing levels, verifying patient identities, and maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy.Discussion and Conclusion: This study revealed that safety practices in cath labs are predominantly shaped around radiation hazards, while a more holistic safety perspective tends to be overlooked.The lack of standardized protocols and heavy reliance on individual initiative were particularly noteworthy.The findings suggest that comprehensive and systematic strategies addressing all dimensions of risk are necessary to establish a sustainable safety culture in cath labs.