Radiation Safety in Emergency Medicine: Balancing the Benefits and Risks

Author: Raja Rizal AZMAN ¹ ; Mohammad Nazri Md SHAH ; Kwan Hoong NG
Author Information

1. Department of Biomedical Imaging, University Malaya Research Imaging Centre (UMRIC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. rizalazman@ummc.edu.my
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Ionizing radiation; Medical technology; Cumulative radiation dose; Decision-making process; Private practice
MeSH: Diagnosis; Education; Emergencies; Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Medicine; Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Patient Safety; Private Practice; Radiation, Ionizing; Risk Assessment; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
From:Korean Journal of Radiology 2019;20(3):399-404
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: The use of computed tomography (CT) in emergency departments has increased over several decades, as physicians increasingly depend on imaging for diagnoses. Patients and medical personnel are put at risk due to frequent exposure to and higher levels of radiation, with very little evidence of improvements in outcomes. Here, we explore why CT imaging has a tendency to be overused in emergency departments and the obstacles that medical personnel face in ensuring patient safety. The solution requires cooperation from all emergency care stakeholders as well as the continuous education of doctors on how CT scans help in particular cases.