News

ECR 2024 Special Focus Session of Low-Dose Effects on Human Health

At ECR 2024, EuroSafe Imaging jointly organised a special focus session of low-dose effects on human health. This session provided an overview of the current knowledge on low-dose effects on human health, followed by presentations on screening (breast and lung) to clarify the radiogenic risk in this context and on patient perspectives. A panel discussion followed which focused on technological advancements and their impact on current dose levels.

As part of this session, Dominique Laurier presented an overview of the current knowledge on the low-dose effects on human health and Mahadevappa Mahesh shared insights on CT lung screening and radiation dose. Click on the links below to view their presentation slides:

 


i-Violin webinar series

We are pleased to announce that the i-Violin project is organising its Education and Training Webinar Series on Optimising CT Procedures and Radiation Protection in Oncology, and registrations are now open.

Tailored for radiologists, radiographers, and medical physicists, this educational initiative integrates image quality evaluation tools to minimise ionising radiation exposure for oncological patients.

The webinars are free of charge and will be conducted online. The scheduled dates and times are as follows:

  • 19/03/2024 – 18:00 – 20:00 CET
  • 26/03/2024 – 18:00 – 20:00 CET
  • 09/04/2024 – 18:00 – 20:00 CEST
  • 16/04/2024 – 18:00 – 20:00 CEST

Find more details and the agenda here.

If you are interested in joining the webinars, kindly register here


New paper on the use of patient contact shielding

Posted July, 2023

The paper “European survey on the use of patient contact shielding during radiological examinations” has just been published in Insights into Imaging.

This paper is based on the results of a survey, carried out by the Gonad And Patient Shielding (GAPS) group, founded by representatives of the main European bodies involved in radiology, to assess the current practice of contact shielding among European radiology departments and attitudes towards a non-shielding policy.
You can view the open access paper here.


New QuADRANT publication

Posted May, 2023

The paper „QuADRANT: a study on uptake and implementation of clinical audit of medical radiological procedures in Europe – expert recommendations for improvement, endorsed by the ESR“ has now been published online.
You can access the paper here.

This paper describes the QuADRANT project, undertaken on behalf of the European Commission and led by the European Society of Radiology (ESR) working with partner societies, the European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM). The project aimed to: provide an overview of clinical audit activity across Europe; identify good practices and resources, barriers and challenges to clinical audit uptake and implementation; identify the potential for further European Union action on quality and safety in the three core project specialties.


New paper on how to establish and use local diagnostic reference levels

Posted January, 2023

The paper “How to establish and use local diagnostic reference levels: an ESR EuroSafe Imaging expert statement” has just been published in Insights into Imaging.

This statement represents the current view of the EuroSafe Imaging Clinical DRLs working group, formed with the purpose to produce scientific and educational material on DRLs and promote the concept of local DRLs.

You can view the open access paper here.


EuroSafe Imaging statement on the EPI-CT study

Posted January, 2023

The EuroSafe Imaging Paediatric Imaging working group has issued a statement on the recently published results of the EPI-CT study, linking head and neck CT scans of children and young adults to an increased risk of developing brain cancer.

The study reinforces the role of the two mainstays of radiation protection of patients: justification and optimisation. Additionally, the study demonstrates the importance of efforts made by initiatives, such as EuroSafe Imaging, to create a culture of safety in radiology.

Read the full statement here.


New paper on Justification of CT practices across Europe!

Posted November, 2022

The paper “Justification of CT practices across Europe: results of a survey of national competent authorities and radiology societies” has just been published in Insights into Imaging.

This paper outlines the results from the EU funded EU-JUST-CT project and highlights the variance of CT justification practices across Europe.

You can view the open access paper here.


EU-REST: new ESR-led EU project on workforce availability, education, and training

Posted October, 2022

The ESR is pleased to announce that is will lead a consortium consisting of the ESR, EFOMP, EFRS, and ESTRO (with input from other stakeholders) on the European Union Radiation, Education, Staffing & Training (EU-REST) study. The 24-month study, which launched in September 2022, aims to provide an analysis of workforce availability, education, and training needs to ensure quality and safety aspects of medical applications involving ionising radiation in the EU. It is funded by the European Commission and managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). More information can be found on the study website.


EU-JUST-CT project presented to the European Radiation Protection Week

Posted October, 2022

The EU-JUST-CT project was presented to the European Radiation Protection Week 2022 in Portugal by project leader Prof Boris Brkljacic this week. The EU-JUST-CT project aims to improve justification of computed tomography in Europe through co-ordinated action. An article is forthcoming in Insights into Imaging on Justification of CT practices across Europe. Additionally, pilot audits are being conducted in 7 countries: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia. Keep updated on the project website.


Conclusion of the QuADRANT project

Posted September, 2022

The European Society of Radiology (ESR), European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), and European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) are pleased to announce the conclusion of the QuADRANT project (Constant improvement in quality and safety of radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine through clinical audit).

The report of the final workshop can be viewed on the website, here. The final Recommendations & Guidance Report will be published as part of the European Commission’s Radiation Protection Series later this year!


EU-JUST-CT draft methodology for national audits

Posted May, 2022

The EU-JUST-CT project announces the addition of its draft methodology for national audits and studies of CT justification to its webpage. The provisional methodology is accompanied by a tutorial video for the ESR iGuide.

View the methodology and video here.


New EuroSafe Imaging paper on notifications and alerts in patient dose values

Posted March, 2022

The EuroSafe Imaging paper ‘Notifications and alerts in patient dose values for computed tomography and fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures’ has just been published in European Radiology.

This paper looks at how notifications and alerts on patient dose values allow for improvements in radiation safety and contribute to the avoidance of radiation injuries and unintended and accidental exposures.

You can read the open access paper here.


Updated EuroSafe Imaging Stars Application Form

Posted January, 2022

EuroSafe Imaging Stars is an initiative designed to recognise imaging facilities that embody best practice in radiation protection. Over the past months, we have been working to update the Stars application process. We are pleased to announce that the online application form has now reopened.

You can find details and appy here.


New publication: European consensus on patient contact shielding

Posted December, 2021

The paper “European consensus on patient contact shielding” has been published in Insights into Imaging, the European Journal of Medical Physics and Radiography. You can access it here.

This paper represents the current consensus view on patient contact shielding of the main bodies involved in radiation safety and imaging in Europe: European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics, European Federation of Radiographer Societies, European Society of Radiology, European Society of Paediatric Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), and European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR).


QuADRANT Workshop Report Published

Posted November, 2021

The Work Package 2 Workshop Report from the European Commission tender project QUADRANT has now been published. Click here to read the report.


New EuroSafe Imaging paper on dosimetric quantities and effective dose in medical imaging

Posted July, 2021

The EuroSafe Imaging paper ‘Dosimetric quantities and effective dose in medical imaging: a summary for medical doctors’ has just been published in Insights into Imaging.

You can read the open access paper here.


New EU project on improving justification of computed tomography.

Posted May, 2021

 

The European Society of Radiology is proud to have been awarded the European Commission Tender ‘European co-ordinated action on improving justification of computed tomography’ (acronym: EU-JUST-CT).

This project is another important milestone for ESR and its collaborative work with other organisations, including its national and subspecialty societies, professional societies of related disciplines, radiation protection regulators, and ministries of health, to promote and enhance BSSD compliance, and support improvement of justification.

Find out more about the project here.


New EuroSafe Imaging paper on availability, awareness and use of referral guidelines for medical imaging in children

Posted April, 2021

We are pleased to announce that the EuroSafe Imaging paper ‘Referral guidelines for medical imaging in children: an ESR-EuroSafe Imaging survey on availability, awareness and use in clinical practice among European radiologists’ has now been published in European Radiology.

The paper can be accessed here.


New EuroSafe Imaging paper on Cumulative effective dose from recurrent CT examinations in Europe

Posted March, 2021

The paper ‘Cumulative effective dose from recurrent CT examinations in Europe: proposal for clinical guidance based on an ESR EuroSafe Imaging survey’ has now been published in European Radiology as open access.

Read the open access article here.


New paper on EuroSafe Imaging and its role in promoting radiation protection over the past 6 years!

Posted January, 2021

This article introduces the European Society of Radiology’s EuroSafe Imaging initiative in the year of its 6th anniversary. The European and global radiation protection frameworks are outlined and the role of the EuroSafe Imaging initiative’s Call for Action in successfully achieving international radiation protection goals as set out by those frameworks is detailed.

Read the open access article here.


New EuroSafe Imaging paper on improving justification

Posted January, 2021

The EuroSafe Imaging paper ‘Improving justification of medical exposures using ionising radiation: considerations and approaches from the European Society of Radiology’ has just been published in Insights into Imaging.

The paper considers primarily the issues and challenges associated with justification of medical exposures using ionising radiation for individual patient diagnostic imaging procedures. It addresses both regulatory requirements and practical considerations and discusses approaches that are intended to improve justification.

You can read the paper via the Springer website here or via the myESR website (ESR Statements) here.


Ask EuroSafe Imaging Tips & Tricks now available as CME accredited courses.

Posted January, 2021

Since 2015, the Ask EuroSafe Imaging working group has published Tips & Tricks documents on CT, interventional radiology and paediatric imaging to support part of EuroSafe Imaging’s mission to improve information on radiation protection for professionals and patients.

These Tips & Tricks are now available as 18 CME accredited courses on the European Society of Radiology’s Education on Demand platform.


Ask EuroSafe Imaging 2020 Radiation Protection webinar recordings available on demand!

Posted January, 2021

The Ask EuroSafe Imaging 2020 Radiation Protection Webinar Series concluded on December 15. Don’t worry if you missed any of the episodes, they are all available to watch on demand here.


New Paper on Performance Indicators for Radiation Protection Management

Posted December, 2020

The paper ‘Performance indicators for radiation protection management: suggestions from the European Society of Radiology’ has now been published in Insights into Imaging.

This paper, produced in collaboration with EuroSafe Imaging discusses a selection of key performance indicators covering different areas and include suggestions for their implementation.

The paper is available to read here.


New EuroSafe Imaging Paper on Dose Management Systems

Posted September, 2020

The paper ‘Radiation dose management systems—requirements and recommendations for users from the ESR EuroSafe Imaging initiative’ has now been published in European Radiology.

This paper, produced by the EuroSafe Imaging Working Group on Dose Management, shows that dose management systems (DMS) can help to fulfil dosimetric aspects of the European Directive 2013/59/Euratom. The paper also analyses DMS requirements and giving recommendations for users.

The paper is available to read here.


New Paper on Radiation Protection

Posted August, 2020

The paper ‘Recent updates in radioprotection’ has just been published in European Radiology. Written by Prof. Guy Frija, the paper outlines the reasons for the current momentum behind radiation protection and the key areas that publications and research have focused on. The paper also touches upon the EUCLID and MEDIRAD projects as well as ESR iGuide.

The paper is available to read here.


New EuroSafe Imaging Paper on Dosimetry

Posted April, 2020

The paper ‘Harmonisation of imaging dosimetry in clinical practice: practical approaches and guidance from the ESR EuroSafe Imaging initiative’ has now been published in Insights into Imaging.

This paper, produced by the EuroSafe Imaging Working Group on Dosimetry for Imaging in Clinical Practice, aims to help European Radiology Departments with the interpretation, implementation and harmonisation of the dosimetry aspects required by the European Directive (2013/59/Euratom Directive).

The paper is available to read here.


New paper on the status of clinical audit in Europe

Posted March, 2020

ESR has recently published the paper ‘The Current Status of Radiological Clinical Audit and Feedback on the ESR Guide to Clinical Audit in Radiology and the ESR Clinical Audit Tool (Esperanto) – an ESR Survey of European Radiology Departments’. This paper includes results from a survey was undertaken in 2019 and distributed within the EuroSafe Imaging Star network and to European national radiological societies.

The new ESR-led QuADRANT project is looking to build on this work and aims to promote constant improvement in quality and safety of radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, through the implementation of clinical audit, as a part of EU Member States’ healthcare systems. You can find out more about the project here.


IAEA Consultancy Meeting on Strengthening Radiation Safety Culture in Medicine

Posted February, 2020

ESR President Prof Boris Brkljacic attending IAEA Consultancy Meeting on Strengthening Radiation Safety Culture in Medicine this week to emphasise ESR’s dedication to radiation safety and to highlight, in particular, EuroSafe Imaging’s achievements in this regard.