Dose Monitoring in Radiology Departments: Status Quo and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The number of computed tomography examinations has continuously increased over the last decades and accounts for a major part of the collective radiation dose from medical investigations. For purposes of quality assurance in modern radiology a systematic monitoring and analysis of dose related data from radiological examinations is mandatory. Various ways of collecting dose data are available today, for example the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine – Structured Report (DICOM-SR), optical character recognition and DICOM-modality performed procedure steps (MPPS). The DICOM-SR is part of the DICOM-standard and provides the DICOM-Radiation Dose Structured Report, which is an easily applicable and comprehensive solution to collect radiation dose parameters. This standard simplifies the process of data collection and enables comprehensive dose monitoring. Various commercial dose monitoring software devices with varying characteristics are available today. In this article, we discuss legal obligations, various ways to monitor dose data, current dose monitoring software solutions and future perspectives in regard to the EU Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM.

Key Points:

• Automated, systematic dose monitoring is an important element in quality assurance of radiology departments.

• DICOM-RDSR-capable CT scanners facilitate the monitoring of dose data.

• A variety of commercial and non-commercial dose monitoring software tools are available today.

• Successful dose monitoring requires comprehensive infrastructure for monitoring, analysing and optimizing radiation exposure.

Citation Format:

• Boos J, Meineke A, Bethge OT et al. Dose Monitoring in Radiology Departments: Status Quo and Future Perspectives. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2016; 188: 443 – 450

Zusammenfassung

Die Zahl der Computertomografieuntersuchungen nimmt in den letzten Dekaden kontinuierlich zu und ist verantwortlich für einen Großteil der medizinisch bedingten Exposition der Bevölkerung mit ionisierender Strahlung. Im Sinne der Qualitätssicherung ist eine kontinuierliche Auswertung der dosisrelevanten Daten von radiologischen Untersuchungen unabdingbar. Verschiedene Wege der Dosiserfassung stehen heute zur Verfügung, so z. B. der Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine-Structured Report (DICOM-SR), die optische Bilderkennung oder DICOM – Modality performed procedure steps (MPPS). Der DICOM-SR ist Teil des DICOM-Standards und stellt mit dem DICOM-Radiation Dose Structured Report (DICOM-RDSR) eine einfache und zuverlässige Lösung zur Erfassung der dosisrelevanten Daten dar, sodass ein standardisiertes und umfassendes automatisches Dosismonitoring erleichtert wird. Eine Vielzahl an kommerziellen Softwarelösungen mit unterschiedlichem Funktionsumfang ist inzwischen verfügbar. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die aktuellen gesetzlichen Voraussetzungen, die Möglichkeiten zur Erfassung der relevanten Dosisdaten in radiologischen Abteilungen, aktuell erhältliche Softwarelösungen und zukünftige Perspektiven im Hinblick auf die EU-Grundnorm 2013/59/EURATOM.

Key words

dose monitoring - computed tomography - radiation dose - DICOM - structured report

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