Background/Introduction
The statutory role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to establish or adopt standards of safety for protection of health and minimization of danger to life and to provide for the application of these standards.
The current International Basic Safety Standards for the Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources (BSS) [1] set requirements for achieving radiation protection of people and safety of radiation sources in all uses of ionizing radiation,
including medical uses.
The BSS specifically addresses the radiation protection in respect...
Description of activity and work performed
1.
Patient dose management in the International BSS
The new International BSS was published in 2014 [1].
Strong requirements are set to implement into the clinical practice the two basic principles of radiation protection in medical uses of ionizing radiation,
namely justification and optimization.
If justified and appropriate,
the radiological procedure should be performed in such a way that the radiation protection and safety is optimized.
The BSS recognise several components of optimization of protection and safety related to medical exposure: design of radiological equipment;...
Conclusion and Recommendations
The IAEA efforts in the field of radiation protection of patients are to develop and promote practical and accountable approaches and solutions and practical tools to address existing and emerging challenges.
This is a complex task,
and holistic approach is needed which requires partnership of national regulatory bodies,
health authorities,
professional bodies,
manufacturers,
researchers.
The system for ensuring radiation protection and safety should be fully integrated in the larger system for ensuring good medical practice.
Personal/Organisational information
Jenia Vassileva
Radiation Protection Specialist
Radiation Protection of Patients Unit
Department of Nuclear Safety and Security
International Atomic Energy Agency,
Vienna,
Austria
Ola Holmberg
Unit Head,
Radiation Protection of Patients Unit,
Department of Nuclear Safety and Security
International Atomic Energy Agency,
Vienna,
Austria
References
EC,
FDA,
IAEA,
ILO,
OECD/NEA,
PAHO,
UNEP,
WHO.
Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards,
IAEA Safety Series No.
GSR Part 3,
IAEA,
Vienna (2014).
Joint Position Statement by the IAEA and WHO.
Bonn Call-for-Action.
10 Actions to Improve Radiation Protection in Medicine in the Next Decade.
https://rpop.iaea.org/RPOP/RPoP/Content/Documents/Whitepapers/Bonn-Call-for-Action.pdf
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY,
Radiation protection in newer medical imaging techniques: PET/CT,
Safety reports series no.
58,
IAEA,
Vienna (2008).
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY,
Establishing Guidance Levels in X Ray Guided Medical Interventional...