Typical and Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Chest and Abdomen Radiography Examinations in Dubai Health Sector

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiological Physics
• Radiation Protection

Background:

• Chest and abdomen radiographs are common procedures exposing patients to radiation.
• Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are crucial for safety, optimization, and auditing in clinical radiology.
• Establishing localized DRLs is essential for identifying and addressing dose variations in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive projection and weight-based Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) system for chest and abdomen radiography.
• To identify healthcare centers requiring urgent optimization of radiation doses.
• To enhance patient safety and radiation protection in diagnostic imaging.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 5474 adult chest and abdomen radiograph examinations from five Dubai healthcare centers.
• Establishment of Typical DRLs (TDRLs) per projection and weight band (60-80 kg).
• Calculation of Local DRLs (LDRLs) for specific projections and weight groups to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Main Results:

• Local DRLs (LDRLs) were established for chest (PA, AP, LAT) and abdomen (erect, supine) projections for the 60-80 kg weight band.
• Specific LDRL values were determined: Chest (PA: 0.51, AP: 2.46, LAT: 2.13 dGy·cm²); Abdomen (erect: 8.08, supine: 5.95 dGy·cm²).
• The LDRL system successfully identified at least one healthcare center requiring radiation dose optimization.

Conclusions:

• A projection and weight-based DRL system is effective for auditing radiation doses in chest and abdomen radiography.
• This system provides a clinically efficient and easy-to-use tool for highlighting centers in need of dose optimization.
• Implementation of this DRL system can significantly improve radiation safety and patient care in diagnostic imaging.