Patient safety in radiology includes falls, exacerbation of contrast and radiation. Radiation safety is our paramount concern for every patient. Not every exam utilizes radiation. X-Ray including mammography and bone density, CT and Nuclear Medicine all use radiation to help in diagnosis.
Most people receive radiation annually from natural sources such as radon gas, soil, rocks, elevation and air plane trips.
The risk of radiation versus benefit of the exam is evaluated prior to imaging. If changing exams reduces radiation, while reaching the same answer is appropriate we will recommend the change.
We take steps to reduce the amount of radiation needed for the highest quality images.
RBA and our hospital partners use several ways to keep radiation to a minimum.
- Radiology equipment is kept up to date.
- A medical physicist routinely checks and monitors all radiation emitting equipment.
- Computer software compensates for lower exposures
- Shielding is provided for patients when possible
- Protocols are designed to reduce radiation exposure while keeping
image quality. - Updating those protocols
- Following the Image Gently and Image Wisely radiation safety programs.
Other patient safety and radiation safety information can be found at:
