by
Christina Hwang, Contributing Reporter | May 11, 2016
HCB News: How have provider attitudes about dose changed over the last few years?
DS: Health care providers have become very aware of the hazards of radiation dose over the past few years due to increased publicity and regulatory controls, not only to patients but also themselves. Today, more is known now about the effects of radiation dose and there is greater transparency within the industry. For example, the effects of radiation to the eye lens are permanent, so the damage is cumulative. Eye lens dose, as an example, is something that interventional radiologists now pay close attention to, whereas in the past not as much. Recent scientific guidance holds that threshold doses for radiation-induced cataracts is 500 mGy, even if spread out over time, suggesting that physicians can face a real, permanent eye lens cataract health hazard in only five years of working if not mitigated appropriately.
HCB News: What will dose monitoring look like in five or 10 years?
DS: Radiation dose monitoring is really just starting. Right now the industry (both manufacturers and health care providers) are busy collecting their data and setting up processes within their departments. These dose monitoring processes will become part of the hospital quality and safety programs for sustainability. In the next five to 10 years we will build dose global dose benchmarking databases and further refine best practices.
HCB News: How can DoseWise Solutions help in monitoring dose?
DS: DoseWise is the Philips solution for radiation dose management to patients and caregivers. The cornerstone of this program is the DoseWise Portal, a software solution that allows easy access to radiation dose exposure in the hospital setting for any vendor equipment and any X-ray modality. We also offer DoseAware, which is a small electronic dosimeter that physicians use in the operating room to monitor their exposure in
real-time.
HCB News: What is the most important thing to keep in mind when regarding dose management?
DS: That while radiation must be respected, the benefit to the patient outweighs the risk when good practices are followed: justifying the procedure for that particular patient and optimizing the dose using the latest technology. Diagnostic radiology is enhanced when the balance is found between the diagnostic benefits and the dose required to get there.
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