Panel discusses security in medical imaging
To increase awareness of the cumulative dose of radiation and the risk of radiation and to explore other opportunities to improve patient safety through the appropriate use, quality assurance and dose optimization, RSNA has collaborated with the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) to launch the image Wisely initiative. As the image slowly initiative for pediatric radiology, the image has been wisely developed to educate imaging professionals, referring physicians and the public on the benefits and risks of medical imaging. Medical imaging is invaluable, but complex set of tools for diagnosis and treatment of patients, said Dr. Mahoney. With this panel, we hope to address concerns about the latest imaging, to dispel some misconceptions about the risks and inform the public about what is being done to ensure their safety when undergoing medical imaging.
Imaging procedures performed for the wrong reasons contribute to unnecessary costs and radiation exposure for patients, Dr. Hendee said. Radiology is working to reduce unnecessary procedures, but some of the causes of excessive consumption are beyond the influence of radiology.
Recent studies have drawn attention to the ionizing radiation associated with some imaging procedures, including CT. There is general agreement within the community that some radiologic imaging procedures and radiation therapy are associated with the risk that in the case of each patient must be weighed against the advantage of diagnostic information or treatment results from a given procedure can provide. Radiologists and medical physicists continue to work together to improve the safety of imaging studies, reducing the radiation dose without sacrificing diagnostic quality. Efforts are also underway for the exposure of patients to better monitor radiation imaging tests accumulated over time.
Growing concern for the radiation dose associated with medical imaging have led to strong responses at different levels, but perhaps the most important answer was expanded educational activities focused on monitoring and control of radiation dose, said Dr. Brink. Imaging pros must commit to reducing the radiation dose, as far as reasonably possible, to seek accreditation of imaging facilities, with particular attention to monitoring of radiation doses and control, and participate in the dose of record allow professionals to assess their levels of imaging doses of the institutions.
These sites are designed to provide the most comprehensive and up to date on the safety of sources of radiation experts to assist patients and their physicians make informed decisions when considering the use of powerful imaging tests can potentially save lives , to help determine if a therapy works or avoid unnecessary surgery, said Dr. Wald.
The growth in diagnostic imaging over the past two decades has brought significant benefits for patients and vital. Medical imaging has enabled millions of patients to avoid more invasive procedures for diagnosis and treatment. However, overuse of medical imaging examinations can be harmful for patients, exposing them to unnecessary radiation. population increased sevenfold, according to the National Council on Radiation Protection and measurements.
A group of experts convened at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to discuss the opportunities for medical imaging, ionizing radiation from imaging procedures and the ongoing efforts to combat the exploitation, the dose of radiation decreases and educate patients about the risks and benefits of medical imaging.
