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.
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.