title: Current methods of monitoring radiation exposure from CT.
abstract: Increased public and regulatory scrutiny of imaging-related radiation exposure requires familiarity with current dose-monitoring techniques and best practices. CT-related ionizing radiation exposure has been cited as the largest and fastest growing source of population-wide iatrogenic ionizing radiation exposure. Upcoming federal regulations require imaging centers to familiarize themselves with available dose-monitoring techniques and implement comprehensive strategies to track patient dose, with particular emphasis on CT. Because of institution-specific and vendor-specific technologies, there are significant barriers to adoption and implementation. In this article, the authors outline the core components of a universal dose-monitoring strategy and detail a few of the many available commercial platforms. In addition, the authors introduce a cloud-based hybrid model dose-tracking system with the goal of rapid implementation, multicenter scalability, real-time dose feedback for technologists, cumulative dose monitoring, and optional dose communication to patients and into the record; doing so results in improved patient loyalty, referring physician satisfaction, and opportunity for repeat business.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA. ronaktal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ronak K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Talati
authors.forename: Jared
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunkin
authors.forename: Shrujal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D001822:Body Burden; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D061214:Patient Safety; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014915:Whole-Body Counting / Q000379:methods*
keywords: CT; DICOM-SR; PACS; Radiation dose; angiographic dose monitoring; monitoring; patient dose