[I066] EFOMP guidelines on the transposition of EU BSS art.60 in national legislations. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torresin, Alberto; Damilakis, John; Bardies, Manuel; Brambilla, Marco; Trianni, Annalisa; Evans, Stephen; Figueira, Ana Rita; Tsapaki, Virginia
• Is Part Of: Physica medica. Volume 52(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 26
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Imagerie médicale -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Rayons X -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Physique -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2018.06.138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-1797

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The aim of EFOMP's document is to clarify the position on article 60.3 (c–f) of the EU BSS Directive regarding optimization processes. Results: The equipment used for interventional radiology and computed tomography and any new equipment used for planning, guiding and verification purposes, shall be able to inform the practitioner (radiologist, oncologist, technologist etc.) about the relevant parameters for assessing the quantity of radiation produced (angles, distances, exposure parameters, etc.). Furthermore, article 60.3(e) states that equipment used for interventional radiology and computed tomography must have the capacity to transfer this information to the record of the examination. The most common parameters used to quantify the radiation output will be discussed taking into account their impact on patient dosimetry. The Medical Physics Expert (MPE) role will be presented and discussed in: 1) Measuring the output of the radiological modality, estimating the related uncertainty, periodically verifying the calibration 2) Planning optimization strategies, dosimetric evaluations and quality controls 3) Comparing different modalities/equipment/protocols/exams with the purpose of optimizing the procedures. In this case, it might be necessary to translate the output metrics to effective dose and/or organ doses in order to compare doses between different modalities for optimization purposes. It is very important that the MPE defines the correct information to be captured that is related to the patient radiation dose. Some radiological metrics are not simple to understand (CTDI, SSDE for examples) and the MPE has to guide the medical community in their use. Conclusions: EFOMP also recommends that all medical equipment should document the maximum uncertainty of the dosimetric index displayed. The uncertainties depend on the acquisition parameters. It is important that the manufacturers specify the maximum uncertainty of the dosimetric index.