Joint Commission Alert on Radiation Risk

In June 2009 I blogged about measuring cumulative radiation exposure and yesterday the Joint Commission issued Sentinel Event Alert No. 47 addressing radiation risks of diagnostic imaging.

This Alert focuses on diagnostic radiation and does not cover therapeutic radiation or fluoroscopy. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will require the accreditation of facilities providing advanced imaging services (CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear medicine) in non-hospital, freestanding settings beginning January 1, 2012.

The recommended approach to eliminate avoidable radiation dosing is:

• Right Test
• Right Dose
• Effective Processes
• Safe Technology
• Safety Culture