Radiological Associates of Fredericksburg is the largest provider of diagnostic radiology services for Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, Virginia.
Computed Tomography (CT) scans and other medical imaging exams enable physicians to diagnose and treat many medical conditions. They can help save lives, improve health, and reduce suffering.
CT, like other medical imaging studies, utilizes ionizing radiation, which is known to increase risks based on amount of exposure. The risks are relatively low for individual procedures, but they should be considered before undergoing testing. The American College of Radiology (ACR) advises that “no imaging exam should be performed unless there is a clear medical benefit that outweighs any associated risk.”
ACR also recommends that patients 1) keep a written history of their medical imaging procedures, and 2) ask their physicians the following questions before undergoing medical imaging tests:
ACR accreditation helps ensure that the physicians, technologists, and imaging equipment involved in the tests have met stringent guidelines.
Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg takes specific steps to limit radiation exposure during CT procedures at our facilities. We modulate all protocols that can be adjusted to the size of the patient. We have implemented the use of breast shields for all female patients to decrease the dose that is delivered to breast tissue. Soon we will begin using thyroid shields to further reduce exposure. Additionally, we look at all patients on a case by case basis to make sure that we are conducting the correct examination for their diagnosis, and are minimizing their radiation exposure.
For more information about CT scan radiation safety, please visit:
Radiation Exposure Estimates from Common Imaging Procedures
From radiologyinfo.org
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray&bhcp=1
American College of Radiology Statement December 2009
From acr.org