IAEA calls for enhanced radiation protection of patients

Vienna, APRIL 2009 AT 13.00 CET -- Advances in medical imaging techniques are allowing doctors to detect hidden diseases and make ever more accurate diagnoses. But radiation safety experts at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) say that overuse of high-tech scanning procedures may unnecessarily expose patients to increased radiation levels. The IAEA, in collaboration with other international organizations, is developing a series of measures aimed at strengthening patient protection. The focus of recent efforts is a Smart Card project, to log how much radiation a person receives in the course of a lifetime.

Concern surrounds procedures such as computed tomography (CT) scans because they deliver higher doses of radiation to patients in comparison to conventional X-rays (radiographs). It's been estimated that the average radiation dose of one CT scan is equal to roughly 500 chest X-rays. And that can increase a patient's lifetime risk of cancer, particularly if CT scans are repeated.

"The medical application of ionizing radiation is the fastest growing source of radiation exposure to human beings today," says Renate Czarwinski, Head of the IAEA's Radiation Safety and Monitoring Section. "We acknowledge the great value of the new technologies, but want to ensure that each and every examination is justified. The radiation protection of patients is also important."

According to the latest estimates of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), as many as four billion diagnostic X-ray examinations are carried out worldwide each year. This represents an increase of more than 17% over the last ten years in the collective dose to the world's population.

source: EurekAlert

Joint Commission Awards TeamHealth Teleradiology Second Consecutive Gold Seal of Approval(TM)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- TeamHealth Teleradiology has earned its second consecutive Gold Seal of Approval(TM) from The Joint Commission, the company announced today.

"Organizations awarded this Gold Seal of Approval(TM) undergo a credible, rigorous evaluation that ensures innovative solutions are used for the most vexing safety and quality issues," said Michael Kulczycki, executive director of The Joint Commission's Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program.

A division of TeamHealth, the nation's largest provider of hospital-based clinical outsourcing, TeamHealth Teleradiology provides after-hours radiology coverage from board-certified, U.S.-based teleradiologists to hospitals, radiology groups, imaging centers and other healthcare providers.

"TeamHealth Teleradiology was awarded this second consecutive Gold Seal of Approval(TM) with no requirements for improvement, which is a significant accomplishment," said Alan Taylor, senior vice president of operations for TeamHealth Teleradiology. "Obtaining accreditation from The Joint Commission is an important part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the high quality care we provide to our clients."

source: PR Newswire

3-D anatomy resource for learning how to interpret radiological scans

Primal Pictures has developed a new interactive resource for radiologists to interpret cross-sectional anatomical scans.

Developed in conjunction Dr Muaaze Ahmad, a Consultant Radiologist at Barts and the Royal London NHS Trust, Radiological Cross-Sectional Anatomy with Multidetector CT: Thorax, Abdomen and Pelvis, contains thousands of clear and accurate images in an intuitive digital format, providing users with an invaluable aid to cross section anatomy, CT and MRI interpretation.

Users are able to view hundreds of clear and accurate 3D anatomy images of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis, whilst interactive functions will allow them to add and remove layers, rotate and label any structure with the click of a mouse.

source: bjhc&im

Harris Corporation Redesigning Popular Radiology Web Site to Enhance Content Management and Accessibility

CHICAGO, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (HIMSS'09, Booth #3974) -- Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) is re-engineering and redesigning the web site "CTisUS" (www.ctisus.com) to deliver intuitive navigation to state-of-the-practice medical imaging content for radiologic technologists and other allied healthcare professionals who access the site every day from more than 100 countries. "CTisUS" was created and is maintained by The Advanced Medical Imaging Laboratory, a multidisciplinary team headed by Elliot K. Fishman, M.D., director of Diagnostic Imaging and Body CT at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The announcement was made during the HIMSS'09 Healthcare IT Conference and Exhibition being held April 4-8 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

"The site is one of the premier medical imaging web sites used by radiologists and other medical specialists around the world for access to study protocols, case studies, vodcasts, podcasts, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities," said Jim Traficant, vice president of Harris Healthcare Solutions. "With advanced content management technology from Harris, users of this web site can more readily access valuable medical imaging resources to enhance radiology education, training, and patient care."

source: PR Newswire

Toshiba's Next Generation AIP Processor for the INFINIX-i Increases Accuracy and Improves Workflow

TUSTIN, California — April 1, 2009 — Improving the ability to provide top-tier patient service during interventional procedures, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. has introduced Next Generation Advanced Image Processing (AIP) available on its Infinix™-i X-ray product line. Next Generation AIP was tested and evaluated by Dr. Vinit Lal, interventional cardiologist, HeartPlace, who noted the upgraded processor has increased accuracy and improved workflow and helped ensure excellent patient care.

"As the first in the country to work hands-on with Next Generation AIP, I have been extremely impressed with the images produced," said Dr. Lal. "This upgraded processor is increasing workflow, patient throughput and cath lab utilization, all while providing a safer exam for the patient, which is exactly what is needed in today's healthcare environment."

Released in late 2008, Toshiba's AIP feature improves patient care by increasing the quality, sharpness, and image contrast during interventional procedures. Additionally, this proprietary technology has virtually eliminated image lag, benefiting clinicians while guiding and deploying devices during fluoroscopy. Next Generation AIP further increases image clarity during interventional procedures using AIP, creating a safer, more time-efficient exam for the patient by reducing the possibility of having to re-image the patient if the image is not clear.

source: Toshiba Medical