title: Patient dosimetry measurements in 50 radiology departments in Belgium.
abstract: Since July 2001, the Belgian law requires a yearly quality control measurement on all medical radiological equipment. The medical physicists of the AV Controlatom are certified experts in Belgium and perform these quality control measurements, including a patient dosimetry study. In this study, patient dosimetry results since January 2002 are presented for the following examinations: chest PA and LAT, abdomen and pelvis. Since conventional film-based imaging is currently being replaced by phosphorplate technology, a comparison between both technologies is made. In some radiology departments, digital imaging is already in use. These dosimetry results are also analysed. Dose reductions of >70% can be achieved. For the chest examinations, several departments still use fluoroscopy for positioning the patient. Results show that about half of the patient dose is due to the fluoroscopy. A comparison between the dose results and the European Diagnostic Reference Levels (EDRL) is made.
authors.affiliation: AV Controlatom, Olieslagerslaan, 35 -B-1800 Vilvoorde, Belgium. av.controlatom@aib-vincotte.be
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dierckx
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Constales
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gerardy
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goegebuer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Persyn
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D005060:Europe; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011871:Radiology / Q000379:methods*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000379:methods