MITA proposes ways to reduce radiation dose

Feb 10, 2010

The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) has endorsed eight principles to reduce exposure to unnecessary medical radiation, minimize medical errors, and improve reporting of adverse events, the Arlington, VA-based organization said.

The proposals come amid heightened scrutiny of radiation from medical sources. The U.S. Food and Administration (FDA) this week announced that it plans a new initiative to more closely regulate diagnostic and therapeutic radiation, while the U.S. Congress is also expected to hold hearings on the issue.

In its proposal, MITA recommends:

Expanding and integrating appropriateness criteria into physician decision-making
Creating a national dosage registry to ensure longitudinal tracking of dose levels for patients across America
Adopting a standardized method of storing diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy information within electronic health records
Expanding mandatory accreditation for advanced imaging facilities
Establishing minimum standards for training and education for hospital and imaging facility personnel who perform medical imaging exams and deliver radiation therapy treatments
Developing enhanced operational safety procedures and checklists to reduce medical errors
Expanding and standardizing the reporting of medical errors associated with medical radiation across stakeholders in a manner that is transparent for patients, families, and physicians
Developing radiation dose reference values to provide a data point to compare the dose level of a specific procedure

NEMA names new MITA head, September 24, 2009

MITA names new managing director, December 4, 2008

NEMA releases MRI standards, October 28, 2008

MITA's Whitman joins Varian, July 29, 2008