CT Technologists Dose Audit Reports and Educational Seminar to Reduce Patient Radiation Exposure From Medical Imaging
18 Years
N/A
Both
Decrease the Variability and Amount of Radiation Dose From CT Examinations.
Trial Information
CT Technologists Dose Audit Reports and Educational Seminar to Reduce Patient Radiation Exposure From Medical Imaging
The use of advanced diagnostic imaging has increased dramatically over the past decade, not
only contributing to rising medical costs but also exposure to ionizing radiation, of which
CT imaging plays a prominent role because it requires a relatively high dose of radiation to
produce an image when compared to conventional X-rays. The growth in the use of CT imaging
along with all other advanced medical imaging has been well documented, and taken as a whole
the use of these services has grown quicker than all other services provided by physicians.
Research has also shown great variability in the amount of radiation exposure to individual
patients, even when patient and other characteristics are controlled for. Given the
increase in the use of CT imaging and the variability in radiation exposure between similar
imaging exams, it is important to study ways of standardizing and reducing radiation levels
from CT imaging. Little is understood about the role of CT technologists' attitudes and how
they may influence patient radiation exposure, therefore, this project also give us the
opportunity to survey the technologists and determine if there is a relationship between
technologist attitudes and awareness and the radiation exposure of patients.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Group Health CT Technologist from Capitol Hill, Tacoma and Bellevue Clinics
Exclusion Criteria:
- None
Type of Study:
Interventional
Study Design:
Allocation: Non-Randomized, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Outcome Measure:
Radiation dose levels (measured by dose linear product (DLP) and effective dose (ED)) from CT exams as a measure of the effectiveness of radiation dose audit reporting and educational intervention for lowering patient exposure to radiation from CT exams.
Outcome Description:
We will report dose data at two time points, April 2011 (data for these reports collect from November 2010 to March 2011), and September 2011 (data collected from April 2011 to August 2011), and compare the data from the two time points to see if there was a change in dose levels (DLP and ED) for the time period (April to August) after the presentation of the first audit reports and delivery of the educational interventions to the CT technologists.
Outcome Time Frame:
April 2011 and September 2011
Safety Issue:
No
Principal Investigator
Diana Miglioretti, PhD
Investigator Role:
Principal Investigator
Investigator Affiliation:
Group Health Research Institute
Authority:
United States: Institutional Review Board
Study ID:
GroupHealthCoop Foundation2011
NCT ID:
NCT01405066
Start Date:
November 2010
Completion Date:
September 2011
Related Keywords:
- Decrease the Variability and Amount of Radiation Dose From CT Examinations.
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Ionizing radiation
- Advanced medical imaging
- Radiation Dose Audit Reports
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