Radiologic protection in pediatric radiology: ICRP recommendations

Excerpt

On Aug. 24, 2011, the US Joint Commission issued a sentinel event alert on radiation risk from diagnostic imaging that could change the way radiology departments are run in the near future [1]. The Joint Commission, cognizant of the benefits of diagnostic imaging, is also aware of the known risks of radiation dose for the development of cancer and the alarming increasing utilization of medical imaging (in particular of CT) over the last decades. The Joint Commission is concerned specifically about potential overutilization and the lack of justification for radiologic exams and suggests raising awareness of the increased risks associated with radiation among providers, equipment manufacturers and patients. The specific actions suggested by the Joint Commission emphasize the main principles of radiation protection: justification and optimization. The Joint Commission also endorses the implementation of a national registry to track radiation doses as the start of a process to identify optimal and reference doses. …