Diagnostic reference levels as a quality assurance tool

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of diagnostic reference levels (DRL) in radiology is to assist in the optimisation of radiation dose to patients, while maintaining diagnostic image quality, and to detect unusually high doses that do not contribute significantly to the clinical outcome of a medical imaging examination. DRL have been in existence overseas for more than a decade and its influence has contributed to a steady decline in dose for general radiography and fluoroscopic procedures. High dose modalities such as CT and interventional procedures are increasing dramatically both locally and internationally resulting in the unwanted outcome of a significant increase in population cumulative effective dose. This calls for urgent dose reduction and dose constraint measures. Utilising DRL is one method of optimising patient dose. Some local and international DRL dose levels for some common radiographic, interventional and CT examinations are presented as a suggestion for the application of this methodology in Australian radiology practice.