Congress:
EuroSafe Imaging 2019
Keywords:
Action 2 - Clinical diagnostic reference levels (DRLs), Radioprotection / Radiation dose, Radiographers, CT, Dosimetry, Safety, Radiation safety, Dosimetric comparison
Authors:
M. Ferderbar, J. Castelli, D. Koff
DOI:
10.26044/esi2019/ESI-0051
Conclusion and recommendations
The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the DRLs for common adult CT scans from across the country of Canada.
Overall,
it appeared that the majority of DRLs were below the national guidelines,
with outliers serving as motivation to reach the standards.
Consistent dose monitoring can assist in reaching a DRL reflective of the ALARA principle.
Once DRLs are established,
it is recommended that they are revisited as further dose reduction practices are implemented.
Some solutions to reduce dose are to use technology such as iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms,
high detective quantum efficiency detectors,
noise reduction filters,
and automatic exposure control (AEC) [16,
19-20].
For sites with budgetary restrictions,
simple practices such as proper patient positioning,
protocol standardization,
collimation,
and bismuth shielding,
among others,
can be used [16].
Protocol standardization would also allow for better comparison at both local and provincial levels,
and ultimately nationally and internationally.
Canada's DRLs are comparable to the United States and the United Kingdom.
It is recommended that Canada continue to follow the aforementioned techniques to have equivalent DRLs to these nations and to eventually pursue 50th percentile DRLs.
In conclusion,
Canada is adhering to ALARA principle and through dose optimization techniques for common CT exams,
has the opportunity to further lower DRLs across the country.