Radiation Dose Management is a Multifaceted Challenge for Providers

Radiation dose safety has been at the focal center of medical imaging debates as physicians look for improved ways to safely conduct scans and procedures. Protecting patients from overexposure and repeated exams is the goal of movements such as Image Wisely, which provides educational resources and guidelines for requesting MRIs and other imaging modalities.

With the rash of articles and discussions being had over the topic, the pool of information gets filled with varying opinions and facts – some of which are disparate and conflicting. Many different providers and experts have offered best practices and studies to highlight the parameters of dose management and effective reduction strategies.

Approaching from all sides
AuntMinnie.com explained that providers developing their own radiation safety program need to look at it from multiple angles. An effective solution will be multifaceted, including a well-established CT imaging protocol for both youth and adults. Training is also integral to the process, as ongoing education is necessary to continually manage the efficacy of imaging methods.

Additionally, providers should be aiming to improve the workflow of their practices and inform patients of overexposure dangers through proper marketing techniques.

Recently, dose safety has been included in federal standards with legislation such as the Protection Access to Medicare Act being passed by Congress last month. In addition to providing a temporary patch to the sustainable growth rate for Medicare physicians, the bill also contained language regarding radiation safety measures on CT machines.

Managing patient safety
Although it can be difficult to avoid complications from digital imaging procedures, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the prevalence and severity of side effects. According to an article published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, reviewing previous health information can help limit the adverse reactions to radiation exposure.

Co-authored by Stephen Balter, Ph.D, from the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, and Donald Miller, M.D., from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the article suggested that proper research into previous diagnostic imaging procedures can provide valuable insight to physicians. This is especially beneficial when it comes to preventing damage to skin tissue.

“If a potentially high-dose procedure is planned – or there is an increased likelihood of a skin injury because of previous skin irradiation, patient obesity, or any of the other aforementioned factors – the possibility of a skin injury should be part of the informed consent discussion,” they wrote, quoted by HealthImaging.

Additionally, physicians should be sure to monitor the dosages throughout the procedure to ensure efficiency. Afterward, the dose amount should be noted in patients’ electronic health records for future reference.

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