European co-ordinated action on improving justification of computed tomography
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).
The project started on 7 April 2021 and lasted until March 2024.
The project was led by Prof. Boris Brkljacic (University of Zagreb School of Medicine, HR) and co-led by Ms. Alexandra Karoussou-Schreiner (Ministry of Health, LU) and aimed to improve justification of computed tomography in Europe through co-ordinated action.
Project objectives:
- Collect up-to-date information about justification of CT examinations in Europe.
- Develop a common methodology for auditing justification of CT examinations.
- Carry out co-ordinated pilot audits of justification of CT examinations in a minimum of five different European countries.
- Discuss the status of justification of CT examinations with the Member States and identify opportunities for further action.
Results will be announced in due time.
Justification of medical exposures in Europe is a highly important and timely topic, and justification of CT imaging is of paramount importance and in the focus of medical professional societies, radiation protection authorities and the European Commission. Pediatric imaging is especially important in this regard. The significant level of inappropriate use of medical exposures was demonstrated in many studies, including those performed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (2009) “Report of a consultation on justification of patient exposures in medical imaging”. In several European countries national audit studies on appropriateness of CT and MRI examinations were performed, with different results, and the ESR is strongly promoting dissemination and use of imaging referral guidelines (ESR iGuide).
Thus, 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.
Contact:
EU-JUST-CT is led by the European Society of Radiology (ESR)
ESR Office Am Gestade 1 | AT – 1010 Vienna
Phone: +43 (1) 533 40 64 -20
E-mail: Monika Hierath, monika [.] hierath [@] myesr [.] org
This project has received funding from the European Commission under Service Contract N° ENER/21/NUCL/SI2.844392