CT society revises standards

The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Computed Tomography Laboratories (ICACTL) has revised its accreditation standards, including more stringent guidelines related to patient dose and appropriate-use criteria.

For example, laboratories that make any changes to manufacturer's default settings are now required to maintain documentation and provide adequate justification, according to the Ellicott City, MD-based commission. The rationale for protocol deviation, as well as the impact of the increased dose on image quality and radiation dose, should be documented by the supervising physician and approved by the medical physicist, the ICACTL said.

The standards also now recommend that laboratories measure the appropriate use of the CT examination based upon criteria published and/or endorsed by professional medical organizations. Accredited laboratories are encouraged to measure and document the percentage of appropriate, inappropriate, and uncertain indications for testing. The guidelines also suggest a program for education and reporting.

The standards can be downloaded by visiting the ICACTL's Web site.

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