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FDA Proffers Interim Recommendations For CT Scan Radiation

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Radiation-01-06-10.jpgThe FDA is making temporary recommendations about Perfusion CT scans. We first wrote about the concern of excessive radiation exposure in our December 16, 2009 post.
The recommendations include:

  • Facilities assess whether patients who underwent CT perfusion scans received excess radiation
  • Facilities review their radiation dosing protocols for all CT perfusion studies to ensure that the correct dosing is planned for each study
  • Facilities implement quality control procedures to ensure that dosing protocols are followed every time, and the planned amount of radiation is administered
  • Radiologic technologists check the CT scanner display panel before performing a study to make sure the amount of radiation to be delivered is at the appropriate level for the individual patient
  • If more than one study is performed on a patient during one imaging session, practitioners should adjust the dose of radiation so it is appropriate for each study

Additionally, manufacturers of the scanners should reevaluate their training manuals and procedures, and improve surveillance systems to more quickly identify problems with particular machines or in particular hospitals.

Of course, it’s very important that patients take their own safety into their own hands, and ask specific questions when receiving any type of scan involving radiation. See the American College of Radiology’s website for more information.