The IAEA Smart Card/SmartRadTrack Project aims at enhancing the implementation of principles of justification and optimization for radiation protection of patients. As quoted from Robert Glass earlier in the summary of the first meeting of the Smart Card Project, "Managing in the presence of data is far better and easier than managing in its absence". It is believed that referring physicians will be in a better position to achieve appropriateness when provided information about previous radiological examinations and radiation doses of patients. A recent survey by the IAEA among referring physicians, currently under publication, confirms this belief.
The joint position statement is currently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP), the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) and the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) of USA.
Summary of the statement: Radiation protection of patients includes accountability for radiation exposure from multiple medical imaging procedures. While there are challenges, it has become increasingly necessary for organizations and professional communities to embrace a patient radiation exposure tracking programme for many reasons, in particular patient safety and welfare.
It is believed that organizations involved will take necessary actions to standardise the dose data provided by imaging equipment. It is important to be aware that, currently, only dose estimates are provided and not the actual individual patient dose. There is need to standardise the terminology of examinations.
Cover note by the Director of the Division of Radiation, Transport & Waste Safety →
