Program Information
Dose Manager: New Solutions for Old Issues
P Bonfanti1 , A Bergantin1 , A Bresolin1 , A Martinotti1 , I Redaelli1 , F Ria2*, D Fazzini1 , G Gozzi1 , S Papa1 , (1) Centro Diagnostico Italiano SpA, Milano, ITALY , (2) Clinical Imaging Physics Group and Carl E. Ravin Advanced Imaging Laboratories, Duke University Health Systems, Durham, NC, USA
Presentations
TU-RPM-GePD-I-2 (Tuesday, August 1, 2017) 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM Room: Imaging ePoster Lounge
Purpose: American and European legislation, as well as scientific initiative such IAEA RPOP and Image Wisely, have described a new approach to optimization and patient awareness in radiology. Therefore, there is a need for a new medical physicist role that can convey correct and effective information to patients. This work describes a four-year radiation “Dose Management and Patient Counseling” project at CDI Diagnostic Imaging Department.
Methods: The Dose Management is a three-stage project, which started in October 2012 when the dose-monitoring software Dosewatch™ (GE Healthcare) had been installed in CDI. Thereafter, a multidisciplinary team (Dose Team) composed by Medical Physicist Experts, Radiologists and Radiographers was established with the goal to standardize and optimize clinical protocols. A Medical Physicist (Dose Manager) leads the team. In September 2014, a communication to patients was introduced in all the radiological reports to convey an email address available for requesting a customized dose report related to radiological procedures. This service is fully managed by the Dose Manager. Lastly, in October 2015, a patient radiological counseling service was introduced. Through this service, patients can discuss clinical and dosimetric issues with the Dose Team's professionals.
Results: 47 and 215 patients have requested a dosimetric report and radiological counseling, respectively. Many optimization actions have been designed by the Dose Team. The first result is related to the virtual colonoscopy CT protocol performed with Siemens™ Somatom Definition by introducing Automatic Current Tube Modulation and Iterative Reconstruction algorithms. The average CTDIvol values for supine and lateral series is decreased approximately by 50%.
Conclusion: The Dose Management project has led to improvements in radiological workflow, in optimization action design, and in patient awareness. Effective information was conveyed to the patients by email and personal meetings with Radiologists and Medical Physicists. This new approach increased patient confidence in healthcare and clinical procedures.
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