Stand up for patient safety
 Radiology departments throughout the UK are being urged to submit information on patient radiation doses to a national database. The collated data will be used to set national diagnostic reference levels under the IR(ME)R regulations.
The request comes from the Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency, (formerly the NRPB), as part of its five yearly review of the national patient dose database.
“We are particularly interested in doses from new digital imaging techniques (CR and direct DR), as well as from conventional screen/film and image intensifier systems,” said David Hart from the HPA.
Dose data and information on size for children undergoing the common radiographic examinations of the skull, chest, abdomen and pelvis are urgently needed.
“We had insufficient data to set national reference doses for these exams in the 2000 review,” explained Mr Hart.
“New data for MCUs, barium meals and barium enemas would also be valuable for updating the previous paediatric national reference doses.”
Richard Evans, SoR CEO, urged all departments to get involved. "Dose data collected in the last two surveys have helped to set dose reference levels that are representative and reliable benchmarks for good, safe practice. Radiographers are at the heart of excellent patient care in diagnostics, particularly with regard to radiation protection.
“With development of practice, digital imaging and pressure to streamline services, the need for us to stand up for patient safety has never been greater. I hope all departments will respond with their dose data."
Click here for details about how to submit information to the national patient dose database.
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