New Image Wisely® Radiation Safety Case on Technical Errors and Image Quality in Digital Radiography, Now Available

The fourth Image Wisely® Radiation Safety Case — Technical Errors and Image Quality in Digital Radiography — is now available to help radiologists, imaging technologists and medical physicists to assess their understanding of important radiation safety concepts — including dose monitoring and optimization. This is the latest in a series of free, online and mobile-compatible educational offerings, developed with the assistance of the American College of Radiology (ACR).

"Significant, but not insurmountable challenges were introduced during the transition from screen-film to digital radiography, including concerns about poor image quality and unnecessary patient radiation exposure. Because digital X-ray systems are so tolerant of over- and under-exposure it is critical that imaging professionals review the quality of the image in conjunction with the default settings used. This case is helpful because it presents critical technical parameters to evaluate when assessing image quality and radiation dose in digital radiography," said Charles Willis, PhD, the case author.

Six radiation safety cases are presented throughout the year. Case content includes embedded questions that provide expert feedback as well as references and resources for further study. Continuing education credit for radiologists, imaging technologists and medical physicists is available.

"Radiation is an invaluable diagnostic resource, and attention to its appropriate use is paramount to patient safety," said Donald Peck, PhD, director of the Image Wisely Radiation Safety Case series and member of the Image Wisely Executive Committee. "Imaging professionals are encouraged to complete these free radiation safety cases to reinforce their knowledge on these important topics."

The fourth case, Technical Errors and Image Quality in Digital Radiography, offers a total of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ 0.5 MPCEC credits by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc.; and 0.5 Category A credits of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Image Wisely is an initiative of the ACR, the Radiological Society of North America, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists with the objective of lowering the amount of radiation used in medically necessary imaging studies and eliminating unnecessary procedures. Image Wisely offers resources and information to radiologists, medical physicists, other imaging practitioners and patients.

For additional information about Image Wisely, visit imagewisely.org.

To speak with an Image Wisely spokesperson, contact Heather Williams at 703-390-9822 or PR@acr.org.