I181] Patient radiation exposure monitoring in medical imaging

Abstract

Purpose The IAEA GSR Part 3, Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards has placed requirements on managing patient exposure from medical uses of ionizing radiation. These pertain to performing and documenting dosimetry of patients following internationally accepted or nationally accepted protocols, determining typical doses to patients for common diagnostic radiological procedures and for image guided interventional procedures, and performing regular local assessments, based on the measurements, for those radiological procedures for which Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) have been established. Methods The IAEA Technical meetings held in April 2015 and June 2016 requested from the IAEA to prepare a publication that provides consolidated information and guidance on patient radiation exposure in medical imaging for improved patient protection. The publication is in preparation by a group of experts, involving also representatives of international organizations and WG 28 (Physics) of DICOM. Results The document will offer a comprehensive delineation of metrics used for patient exposure data across multiple imaging modalities, including relevant acquisition parameters, exposure and dose indicators, organ doses, and the derived risk related quantities. Strategies for recording and collecting of these metrics using coding systems with a view towards ensuring data accuracy and integrity will be explicitly addressed. Considering the significant need for meaningful systematic analyses of exposure data, the document will delineate strategies on how the exposure data should be evaluated, analyzed, and understood for use towards optimization of radiation protection of patients in medical imaging. The analysis includes the methods for establishing DRLs and typical doses and trends towards improved operational consistency. It further addresses ascertaining exposure information for individual patients for error investigation and tracking exposure history for individualized justification and optimization. In addition to metrology and analysis, the document will offer description of electronic and manual strategies for data management and workflow, as well as the needed features, access, and interface for effective utilization of patient exposure data monitoring systems, considering the needs and constraints of less-resourced countries. Conclusions It is expected that the publication will support the implementation of the BSS requirements.