Steps ECMC has done to provide the safest care

1999

Purchased a computerized X-ray system, moving from a wet film - based technology to computerized process to develop x-ray images, decreasing repeat exposures.

2000

Tele-radiology system to provide the ability to share images with Radiologist who could review radiographic studies at the time of service to conform studies to fit our patient's needs.

2005

New technology available with CT scanners to measure and document our CT exposures. This included the technology for the system to calculate and suggest exposure factors to obtain the best images with the least amount of radiation.

2008

Began including CT radiation exposure doses in the patient's medical record in 2008. Any ECMC patient has the ability to obtain a record of all of their radiation exposure doses of CT exams completed at ECMC since 2008. We have not found any other facility in the State of Kansas offering this service. (There may be other radiology departments following this practice, but to date we have not identified them as doing such.)

With the increased attention to CT radiation exposure doses, last year the State of California set up state-wide mandates on measuring and documenting radiation doses in the patient's medical record. Additionally, facilities are to report any doses out of the normal range to a state agency. To my knowledge, on a national level, California is the only state to mandate this measuring and reporting process.

2009

Our pledge to "Image Gently." We have worked with our Providers, Radiologists and Physicist to use protocols and techniques specifically focused on minimizing the amount of radiation a child is exposed to. Philips Healthcare, the manufacturer of our CT scanner, has designed specific pediatric exposure techniques for our system. As we follow these procedures, we are assured of providing the safest process possible for the littlest of patients.

2010

Working closely with our group of Radiologists in Salina, we began looking at additional ways to decrease our radiation exposure with our CT exams. Since then we have made changes to our processes and radiation techniques decreasing our radiation exposures in most of our exams by 50%.

We review our CT exam exposures monthly to confirm that the radiation exposure doses from our CT exams do not exceed the ACR defined maximum allowable doses.

Our Technologists must complete and pass a training program before they are allowed to perform CT exams.