AHRA’s Partners in Learning program offers its members a chance to connect and visit another healthcare facility for a day. I was eager to apply because of my strong desire to grow and strengthen the Radiation Safety Committee that I currently chair at my home organization, Saratoga Hospital. Being selected for the program was a meaningful opportunity. I was especially honored to visit the Mayo Clinic, an institution that has championed numerous advancements in healthcare, including radiation safety. 

In early November 2025, I visited Mayo to observe their radiation safety operations with fellow AHRA member Jamie Coder and her team. I also observed the imaging team and met with the quality and safety leaders. This experience helped me learn how one of the largest and most respected healthcare institutions manages radiation safety at a very large scale. The experience provided not only technical insights but also a deeper appreciation for the efficiency and patient-centered culture that defines the Mayo environment.

Throughout my meetings and observations, I asked radiation safety questions focused on challenges we are actively navigating at my organization. The answers I received reflected highly effective strategies for operating system-wide safety principles. Mayo’s protocols for ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) compliance, dose optimization, incident follow-up, and interdepartmental oversight are supported by robust data tools, automated triggers, and transparent workflows designed for speed, accuracy, and accountability.

A particularly relevant area for us was Mayo's approach to imaging for pregnant patients with diagnostic X-ray and CT. This is a sensitive and frequently complex topic, where Mayo has refined a thoughtful, structured process to ensure appropriateness, safety, and clear communication. They utilize Epic-embedded tools that assist in identifying fetal exposure risk, documenting provider consent, and guiding technologists through consistent steps when an exam may affect a pregnancy. Witnessing how they use the EMR tools to support both decision-making and compliance was extremely valuable. Leveraging Epic and its capabilities could significantly strengthen our own processes and policies at Saratoga Hospital.

Unlike many organizations that rely on serialized inventory systems, at Mayo Clinic, radiation protection garments are managed through a formal attestation-based integrity program. Garments undergo annual inspection in accordance with the organizational policy, with designated leaders coordinating review and submitting compliance attestations to the Radiation Safety database. Each garment is visibly tagged to reflect the current inspection year, and Radiation Safety conducts audits and provides ongoing education to ensure compliance. This streamlined approach prioritizes staff safety, maintains consistent oversight, and has been validated through regulatory and accreditation surveys.

I also had the opportunity to observe Mayo’s theranostics program, a sophisticated, highly coordinated service line that integrates diagnostic imaging with targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies. While we are several years away from implementing such a program, the chance to see their workflow, patient pathways, infrastructure, and cross-disciplinary planning provided insight into what we will eventually need.

One of the most striking aspects of the visit was the seamless coordination across high-volume modalities such as CT, MRI, PET/CT, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, and proton therapy. Despite operating on a scale far larger than most regional health systems, Mayo maintains a level of quality and consistency that many smaller institutions aspire to achieve.

My visit to the Mayo Clinic offered valuable strategies and practical tools that will directly benefit Saratoga Hospital, particularly within our Radiation Safety Committee. The insights gained — from pregnant patient workflows and Epic tools, to lead-shielding management, and long-term planning for theranostics — will help strengthen our processes and support our ongoing commitment to excellence in patient safety. I am very thankful for the Partners in Learning program as this was an invaluable opportunity. I can’t thank AHRA, Jamie Coder, and her team enough.

AHRA's Partners in Learning is a grant program sponsored by Bayer that allows AHRA members to visit and learn from another healthcare facility to gain insights into day-to-day issues like patient safety, equipment, and staffing. The program is open to all AHRA members regardless of experience, rank, or former participation. Learn more and how you can apply to become a host or guest.