title: CT protocol review and optimization.
abstract: To reduce the radiation dose associated with CT scans, much attention is focused on CT protocol review and improvement. In fact, annual protocol reviews will soon be required for ACR CT accreditation. A major challenge in the protocol review process is determining whether a current protocol is optimal and deciding what steps to take to improve it. In this paper, the authors describe methods for pinpointing deficiencies in CT protocols and provide a systematic approach for optimizing them. Emphasis is placed on a team approach, with a team consisting of at least one radiologist, one physicist, and one technologist. This core team completes a critical review of all aspects of a CT protocol and carefully evaluates proposed improvements. Changes to protocols are implemented only with consensus of the core team, with consideration of all aspects of the CT examination, including image quality, radiation dose, patient care and safety, and workflow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Electronic address: jkofler@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kofler
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Dianna D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Cody
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Morin
mesh_terms: D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000592:standards*; D011871:Radiology / Q000592:standards*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States
keywords: CT; protocol; radiation dose