TRACE program: improving patient safety

The Tools for Radiation Awareness and Community Education (TRACE) program was designed as a two phase approach to radiation dose awareness and overall patient dose reduction achieved through patient and community education, physician awareness, staff training, and technological enhancements. It was made possible by the AHRA and Toshiba Putting Patients First grant program. Phase one of the program began by engaging radiation safety committee and management to address new radiation safety policy and procedures followed by patient and community education. Next, fluoroscopy dose reduction was addressed through physician awareness and dose notification. The final step was CT dose reduction through protocol changes. Phase two will contain three components: The implementation of software that will assist in recording and reporting dose; patient and referring physician notification for radiation dose >3 Gy; and CT dose reduction through technology and additional changes to protocols.