Congress:
EuroSafe Imaging 2020
Keywords:
Performed at one institution, Observational, Prospective, Quality assurance, Education and training, Dosimetric comparison, Radiation safety, Dosimetry, Audit and standards, PACS, Digital radiography, CT, Radioprotection / Radiation dose, Emergency, eHealth, Emergency Imaging
Authors:
M. Bernardo, A. A. S. M. D. Santos, G. R. Neves, M. A. B. Guerra, L. M. Bellegard, F. Morgado, F. A. Almeida
DOI:
10.26044/esi2020/ESI-06161
Description of activity and work performed
METHODOLOGY: This prospective quantitative educational study got Ethnical Committee approval and implemented the dose index registry (DIR ACR®) system, alignment and naming of tomography exams, protocol re-evaluation, personally training professional team, dose limits by Brazilian College of Radiology program (CBR), reduction in the number of CT phases, dose adjustment with quality measurements and validation by radiologists and medical physics. Choosing wisely recommendations were applied to the multi-professional staff. Exam request were reviewed before examination. Statistical monthly data analyses were done. 40 technicians, 15 radiologists, 50 emergency physicians and 52 pediatricians participated in the radioprotection project.
RESULTS: Five hundred monthly CT exams were reviewed in 2019: skull (30%), spine (7.1%), thorax (4.9%), abdomen (45.4%), remaining (12.6%). Periodic dose reports (DLP and CTDI vol evaluation to further dose reduction).
- Abdominal and lumbar CT adult; brain and abdominal CT pediatric were adjusted.
- DIR ACR® was an alert instrument to monitoring dose and interventional education.
- Reduction of 11.2 % radiological exams requested comparing to previous year.
- Also identified a high number of radiological examinations in the age group from 0 to 4 years old.
The related symptoms related to radiological exams solicitation were: abdominal pain(23.3%), headache(12.8%), sinusopathy(11.2%), low back pain(9.2%), chest pain(5.6%), dyspneia (5.6%), urinary complaint(5.3%), othres(26.5%).
Action plan:Alignment of recommendations for safe diagnosis with lowest possible dose.