The revised European Basic Safety Standards Directive requires the radiation dose of every CT exam to be recorded with investigation of cases where radiation dose exceeded established reference levels. Also, radiation protection education and training are key. Installing a radiation dose optimization and education program through CT protocols harmonization and optimization represent a major challenge in a multicenter setting comprising 7 centers and 7 CT scanners from 3 manufacturers. Implementing a “dose culture” by guiding 22 radiologists and 40 technologists towards a change of practice...

Methods (Fig. 1) A dose management software (Dosewatch™, GE, Milwaukee) was installed to collect data from all scanners and compare practices. Initial data analysis identified large dose variations, protocols parameters inhomogeneity and lack of staff training uniformity. A dose-team was set-up, with one radiologist and one technologist in each center, a CT field engineer, a physicist and team leader, aiming at standardizing protocols, optimizing dose while maintaining image quality and creating awareness and dissemination. Workshops built a clear vision of the project, defined by “The...

Conclusion (Fig. 7) The complex process of homogenizing CT protocols and optimizing radiation doses without compromising image quality can be achieved with a clear roadmap, leadership, team-work, workshops, education, regular communication, continuous dose monitoring, commitment and partnership with stakeholders (like industry, local MPE). The use of automatic dose data collection and phantom tests during optimization are key. Further developments include optimization of i.v. contrast media injection protocols considering patient-specific injection parameters to achieve the optimal enhancement needed for diagnosis with the least contrast dosing.

Hugues Brat, MD Medical Director, Groupe 3R, Switzerland [email protected] Sima Imsand Radiographer, Groupe 3R, Switzerland Federica Zanca, PhD Physicist, GE Healthcare Christophe Dias Project leader, GE Healthcare Cyril Thouly IT Manager, Groupe 3R, Switzerland Stéphane Montandon Modality Sales Specialist, Philips SA Benoit Rizk, MD Radiologist, Groupe 3R, Switzerland Dominique Fournier, MD President of Groupe 3R, Switzerland

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