The document establishes diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and target dose levels (TDLs) for various medical imaging examinations in the Netherlands. A field study was conducted across 39 institutions to measure patient doses and validate that they complied with the DRLs. The study found that all institutions were below the DRLs, with many below the even lower TDLs. The introduction of TDLs that are lower than DRLs is recommended to encourage further optimization of practices and reduction of unnecessary high patient doses.
1. Dose data from CT scans can be stored and archived in a PACS system using DICOM.
2. Stored dose data can then be analyzed and mined through statistics to calculate dose exposure trends.
3. This dose data mining is currently challenging due to limitations in PACS query functions and the DICOM standard, but remains an important area for improving radiation safety.
1. The document summarizes a meeting discussing dose reference levels for interventional radiology procedures.
2. Interventional radiology poses unique challenges for dose management due to physician-operated machines and treatment priorities over radiation concerns.
3. Upcoming standards and regulations will require new dose tracking and reporting features to help optimize patient radiation exposure for these types of medical imaging procedures.
The document establishes diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and target dose levels (TDLs) for various medical imaging examinations in the Netherlands. A field study was conducted across 39 institutions to measure patient doses and validate that they complied with the DRLs. The study found that all institutions were below the DRLs, with many below the even lower TDLs. The introduction of TDLs that are lower than DRLs is recommended to encourage further optimization of practices and reduction of unnecessary high patient doses.
1. Dose data from CT scans can be stored and archived in a PACS system using DICOM.
2. Stored dose data can then be analyzed and mined through statistics to calculate dose exposure trends.
3. This dose data mining is currently challenging due to limitations in PACS query functions and the DICOM standard, but remains an important area for improving radiation safety.
1. The document summarizes a meeting discussing dose reference levels for interventional radiology procedures.
2. Interventional radiology poses unique challenges for dose management due to physician-operated machines and treatment priorities over radiation concerns.
3. Upcoming standards and regulations will require new dose tracking and reporting features to help optimize patient radiation exposure for these types of medical imaging procedures.
The document summarizes the history and evolution of computed tomography (CT) dosimetry standards. It discusses how early CT dosimetry used a 10 cm long ionization chamber and phantoms, which did not fully capture dose from scattered radiation. Standards organizations like IEC have since implemented adjustments to the CT dose index (CTDI) to account for broader beams. Ongoing work by groups like AAPM and ICRU aims to develop new phantoms and smaller ionization chambers for more accurate CT dosimetry measurements.
The document discusses the work of the Dutch Commission for Radiation Dosimetry (NCS). It describes the NCS board's role in overseeing scientific projects and publications. It also describes the NCS platform's role in addressing practical radiation safety issues and acting as a liaison to the government. The document then contrasts the roles of the board versus the platform and provides examples of initiatives under each. It concludes with remarks about diagnostic reference levels for radiation exposures.
Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) provide guidance on radiation doses for typical diagnostic examinations, acting as a trigger for optimizing practices when doses are consistently exceeded. DRLs are usually set at the 75th percentile of dose distributions and can be national or local. When local doses exceed the DRL, facilities should investigate factors like equipment, technique, and case mix and identify measures to reduce doses prior to restarting audits. DRLs aim to balance radiation dose and diagnostic image quality without compromising diagnoses.
The document summarizes the history and evolution of computed tomography (CT) dosimetry standards. It discusses how early CT dosimetry used a 10 cm long ionization chamber and phantoms, which did not fully capture dose from scattered radiation. Standards organizations like IEC have since implemented adjustments to the CT dose index (CTDI) to account for broader beams. Ongoing work by groups like AAPM and ICRU aims to develop new phantoms and smaller ionization chambers for more accurate CT dosimetry measurements.
The document discusses the work of the Dutch Commission for Radiation Dosimetry (NCS). It describes the NCS board's role in overseeing scientific projects and publications. It also describes the NCS platform's role in addressing practical radiation safety issues and acting as a liaison to the government. The document then contrasts the roles of the board versus the platform and provides examples of initiatives under each. It concludes with remarks about diagnostic reference levels for radiation exposures.
Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) provide guidance on radiation doses for typical diagnostic examinations, acting as a trigger for optimizing practices when doses are consistently exceeded. DRLs are usually set at the 75th percentile of dose distributions and can be national or local. When local doses exceed the DRL, facilities should investigate factors like equipment, technique, and case mix and identify measures to reduce doses prior to restarting audits. DRLs aim to balance radiation dose and diagnostic image quality without compromising diagnoses.
1. DRN in Sint Lucas Andreas Ziekenhuis in
Amsterdam
Linda Janssen-Pinkse,
Algemeen stralingsdeskundige, NKI-AVL
Coördinerend stralingsdeskundige, SLAZ
2. Start van DRN
• Inlezen in rapporten
• Plan opstellen
• Zorgen voor draagvlak bij afdeling
• Veel metingen verricht
• Terugkoppeling naar afdeling
3. Ervaringen
• Soms weerstand van laboranten
• Veel lijsten niet of nauwelijks ingevuld
• Gemeten waarden lager dan DRN
• Verschil in DRN bij dezelfde type toestel
• Vanuit een andere hoek ook vragen
over dosisafgifte bij diverse
onderzoeken...
