Medical Imaging - What To Expect
Important notice: Change to patient lead shielding during diagnostic X-rays
Effective Feb. 2, 2026, St. Joseph’s Health Care London has discontinued the use of lead shields during diagnostic X-rays. This change reflects current scientific evidence, modern imaging technology and aligns our practices with hospitals across Canada and around the world.
In the past, lead shielding was standard practice to protect reproductive organs and other internal structures during imaging. However, updated research and modern equipment design now confirm that this practice is no longer necessary — and in some situations can interfere with safe, accurate imaging.
This change follows the recommendations of the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists, Canadian Association of Radiologists, Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists, Health Canada Safety Code 35 and American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
Patient lead shielding- frequently asked questions and answers
1. Why are you stopping the use of patient lead shielding during diagnostic X-rays?
Based on improvements in imaging technology and scientific evidence, St. Joseph’s has discontinued the use of patient lead shields during diagnostic X-rays, bringing us in line with other hospitals around the world.
2. Wasn’t shielding important for protecting reproductive organs?
Shielding was introduced in the 1950s when our understanding of radiation was limited. Current diagnostic X-ray equipment is designed to reduce overexposure and use 95 per cent less radiation than previous equipment, eliminating the need for lead shields.
3. How much radiation do today's X-ray machines use?
Today, diagnostic X-rays use up to 95 per cent less radiation than when shielding was first introduced. The amount of radiation used in most imaging exams is extremely low - often no greater than the natural background radiation we experience in daily life.
4. Is it safe to have an X-ray without a lead shield?
Yes. This change ensures the safest, most accurate imaging possible based on individual patient needs. Lead shields can block important anatomy, interfere with image quality, or cause X-ray equipment to use more radiation than necessary.
5. Will this increase radiation exposure to internal organs?
No. Modern X-ray technology directs radiation precisely to the area of interest. Internal organs outside the imaging field are not at risk from the very low levels of radiation used in diagnostic imaging.
6. Can I still ask for a lead shield if I feel more comfortable with one?
While shielding is not recommended, patients who strongly prefer it may request a shield if it does not compromise image quality.
7. Why do staff or others in the room still wear protective shields?
This change applies only to patients. All individuals present in the procedure room, other than the patient, who are not receiving clinical benefits from the imaging exam must wear protective shielding. Those in the room require shielding to protect them from scatter radiation that is coming from the patient, but shielding is ineffective in protecting the patient from internal scatter radiation.
8. Is this change supported by experts?
Yes. This change follows the recommendations of the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists, Canadian Association of Radiologists, Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists, Health Canada Safey Code 35 guidelines and American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
9. Are other hospitals doing the same thing?
Yes. Other hospitals across Ontario and North America, including London Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and BC Interior Health, have already adopted this practice.
10. How do you make sure radiation is kept as low as possible?
St. Joseph’s continues to follow the “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” principle, ensuring radiation exposure is minimized in every exam.
11. Who can I talk to if I still have questions or concerns?
If you have questions, please speak with your technologist or care team. They can explain how the exam works and how we keep your radiation exposure as low as possible.