From the September 2016 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Continuing its focus on patient safety, NEMA published NEMA XR-31 Standard Attributes on X-ray Equipment for Interventional Procedures, which identifies key features that contribute to enhanced patient care and manage dose delivery while still yielding quality images. XR-31 includes eight features that should be taken into consideration when performing risk management evaluations on stationary x-ray interventional equipment. These features were introduced over the course of the past decade and are now considered state of the art.
XR-29 and XR-31 provide tools for dose measurement, reporting and management. Implementation of these tools is critical to producing quality diagnostic images and managing dose. MITA and its members are dedicated to partnering with all stakeholders to promote use of these tools to ensure safe and appropriate use of medical imaging technology. Our industry has long been committed to patient safety. Over the past few decades, manufacturers have introduced new products and innovations that have reduced dose for many procedures by up to 75 percent, while continually improving the ability of these technologies to aid in diagnosing and treating cancer and other diseases.
Advances in CT imaging, such as the incorporation of iterative reconstruction algorithms and features like DICOM Dose Structured Reporting, have made it possible to dramatically lower dose while still yielding high-quality images. Coupled with improved decision support systems, these advances help ensure all patients receive the right scan at the right time with the lowest possible dose.
Looking ahead to 2017 and beyond, we expect providers will continue upgrading existing CT equipment to comply with XR-29, or purchase new systems with more advanced radiation dose reduction capabilities. MITA continues to coordinate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other partners on the implementation of the new reimbursement policy and work with all stakeholders to develop and promote additional equipment standards that will further enhance patient safety for the next generation of advanced imaging technologies.
About the author: Patrick Hope is the executive director of the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA).Back to HCB News
