Dose
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Introduction

Justification of the use of radiation in radiology requires that the benefit provided by the scan be greater than the detriment due to the dose involved. But in addition to the Justification, it is necessary to proceed to the Optimization;

In order to quantify Optimization, it is necessary to define Dose Indicators that are easy to measure and that are well correlated with the dose received by the patient. For each one of the indicators, the Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are defined based on the levels defined in the ICRP-135 (Diagnostic Reference Levels in Medical Imaging).

The digitalization of radiology, in addition to advances in functionality and diagnostic capacity, allows for greater exploitation of the information obtained, including, among others, parameters related to the dose received by the patient, which can be exploited by means of the so-called DOSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSThis facilitates the continuous monitoring of indicators and reference levels and participation in the different committees where possible optimization proposals are discussed;

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Patient dose indicators

The Dose Management system

DReport, as a Dose Management system

Patient dose indicators

The Dose Indicators to be used depend on the diagnostic modality. As examples, the Mean Glandular Dose (MD) in mammography, the dose x length product (DLP) or the volumetric dose index (CTDI_vol) in computed tomography, …

For each Dose Indicator, the Diagnostic Referenice Levels are established, which are used to control that the dose received by the patient, under ordinary conditions, is in accordance with what is foreseen for the procedure performed.

DRLs are a practical tool to promote optimization. And its values are general guidelines, without being of individualized application for each patient or study (it is not a dose limit for the patient).

DRLs are to be established for studies or procedures carried out at the local level and if sufficient statistics are not available, the values available at the national level will be adopted.

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The Dose Management system

Dose Management System (DMS) is the generic name given to computer applications from various manufacturers, designed for the recording, analysis and optimization of the doses received for each patient/exploration. It also allows auditing compliance with the reference levels (DRLs).

The correct exploitation of the Manager requires a correct classification of the exploration protocols, which, among other things, gives it the capacity to:

Display dosimetric data for each patient by modality, in addition to the patient’s overall dosimetric history. And the possibility of generating the corresponding report.

Statistical analysis of dosimetric data, according to modality, equipment and scan protocol.

Generation of configurable dose alarms.

Searching and filtering, within the database.

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Patient dose management service

ACPRO provides a service for patient radiation protection advice and consultancy. Il also has its own software, DReport(see information), to facilitate this service: