Identifying Institutional Diagnostic Reference Levels for CT with Radiation Dose Index Monitoring Software

Abstract

Automated methods of radiation dose data collection permit a detailed analysis of radiation dose according to protocol and equipment over time. Radiation dose optimization measures were effective, but their full value may be realized only with changes in internal processes and real-time, prospective data monitoring and analysis.

Tracking and Resolving CT Dose Metric Outliers Using Root-Cause Analysis

“…Although our LDRLs were within limits proposed by the United States and international achievable doses [14,15], we found wide variation with each protocol [16]. Such large variation speaks to the need for improved standardization and more stringent quality assurance.…”

“…Adherence to the Personal Health Information Protection Act of Ontario was maintained throughout the study [17]. Retrospective data for consecutive adult examinations (ages 16 years and older) between January 2010 and December 2013 for three high-use CT protocols were extracted from an RDIM database and cleaned, as described previously [16]. This included 34,615 examinations from one QXi 4-slice scanner (GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Wisconsin) and two VCT 64-slice scanners (GE Healthcare).…”

Patient‐specific quantification of image quality: An automated technique for measuring the distribution of organ Hounsfield units in clinical chest CT images

“…Currently, there are several software packages that track dose metrics, such as CT dose index and size‐specific dose estimates, on a patient‐specific basis . However, there are limited programs to monitor the quality of images on a patient‐specific basis .…”

“…Currently, there are several software packages that track dose metrics, such as CT dose index and size-specific dose estimates, on a patient-specific basis. 8,[35][36][37] However, there are limited programs to monitor the quality of images on a patient-specific basis. 5,[12][13][14] Implementing the proposed algorithm into the clinical workflow would allow for patient-specific image quality tracking for chest CT exams.…”

Establishment of institutional diagnostic reference level for computed tomography with automated dose-tracking software

“…Examination specific dose reference levels for patients can provide stimulus for monitoring and auditing of CT doses to promote improvement in radiation safety. As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) is the guiding principle for achieving the lowest possible exposure to a particular clinical setting according to set protocols by repeated analysis of the dose metric data . DRLs are intended to provide guidance on what is achievable with current good practice rather than optimum performance, and helps to identify unusually high radiation doses.…”