Toward Large-Scale Process Control to Enable Consistent CT Radiation Dose Optimization.
OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the concepts of CT radiation dose optimization and process control, discusses how to achieve optimization and how to verify that it is consistently accomplished, and proposes strategies to move toward large-scale application.


CONCLUSIONS
CT dose optimization is achieved when the least amount of radiation necessary is used to achieve adequate image quality. The key to consistent optimization is minimization of unnecessary variation. This minimization is accomplished through local process control mechanisms.
1 Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA 94305-5105.
David B
DB
Larson
Keith J
KJ
Strauss
Daniel J
DJ
Podberesky
D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*
CT radiation dose; optimization; patient safety; process control; quality improvement