Radiologists in Europe Launch Call for Action on Radiation Protection Measures

A Europe-wide Call for Action campaign has been launched comprising 12 points, which include encouraging appropriateness in imaging, keeping radiation doses within diagnostic reference levels, using the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principle, emphasizing the need for up-to-date equipment, empowering patients, and joining forces with other stakeholders.

The European Society of Radiology’s (ESR; Vienna, Austria) EuroSafe Imaging campaign’s all for Action is in support of the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) and International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA; Vienna, Austria) Bonn (Germany) Call for Action launched in 2012.

Work has already begun on implementing many of these points, as the ESR is currently working on introducing a clinical decision support system and is developing templates for internal clinical audit. It also provides significant e-learning resources, which cover topics in radiation protection, as well as educational sessions. In terms of empowering patients, the ESR has founded the Patient Advisory Group for Medical Imaging, which is chaired by the head of the European Patients’ Forum, Nicola Bedlington.

The EuroSafe Imaging campaign was launched by the ESR in response to the ever-increasing number of radiologic exams being performed yearly. With an increasing number of exams comes higher overall radiation exposure in absolute terms, so it is vital to keep doses as low as possible and to ensure the most appropriate radiologic exam is used in each and every case.

“This initiative is necessary, but also is very timely, because we are now facing, worldwide, a challenge to deal with the potential risks of radiation in healthcare without compromising the benefits, and this is the reason why I think it is very appropriate that this initiative is taken by the professionals; the radiologists,” said Dr. Maria Del Rosario Perez, from the WHO.

The Call for Action is the latest step taken by the ESR as part of EuroSafe Imaging. It is aimed at ensuring that medical imaging in Europe remains safe and continues to offer its vital benefits to patients. To do this, the campaign needs the support of radiologists, radiographers, and any medical professional involved in medical imaging throughout Europe. By implementing the 12 points in the EuroSafe Imaging Call for Action, they can help make Europe the safest place for patients to have a radiological exam.

All stakeholders in medical imaging are affected by this Call for Action as EuroSafe Imaging reflects the ESR’s inclusive and objective approach to improving radiation safety. “We believe that this holistic approach is an important step towards joining forces for patient safety in Europe. And we believe too that the use of up-to-date equipment is of utmost importance for improving the safety of X-ray examinations. The ESR urges the European Commission to develop a European plan for the improvement of X-ray equipment, including CT [computed tomography] across Europe,” said Guy Frija, founder of EuroSafe Imaging, chair of the EuroSafe Imaging Steering Committee and ESR past president.

EuroSafe Imaging is the European Society of Radiology’s latest campaign to promote quality and safety in medical imaging. The objective of EuroSafe Imaging is to support and strengthen medical radiation protection across Europe following a holistic, inclusive approach. Watch this video to learn more about EuroSafe Imaging.

Related Links:
European Society of Radiology 
EuroSafe Imaging
World Health Organization