Radiation Safety a Priority at STPH

RADIATION SAFETY AT STPH INCLUDES
MEETING VOLUNTARY, HIGH STANDARDS

COVINGTON - Common radiology exams, such as CT scans, allow physicians to diagnosis diseases and injuries using techniques that are less invasive and safer than surgery. Medical imaging is even linked to increased life expectancy and declining cancer-death rates through earlier, more accurate diagnoses.

However, patients often have concerns about the safety of radiation used in some imaging tests and treatment.

“It’s a question that patients frequently have,” said Bryan Burleson, outpatient radiology supervisors at St. Tammany Parish Hospital.

STPH’s commitment to the safe use of medical imaging includes its voluntary accreditation by the American College of Radiology (ACR) in computed tomography — better known as CT or CAT scans — and nuclear medicine.

ACR accreditation for those imaging methods requires a rigorous review to verify that equipment and protocols at the hospital, the Paul D. Cordes Outpatient Pavilion, Mandeville Diagnostic Center and Women’s Pavilion meet national standards for patient safety. It also means radiation doses fall within established safety standards, image quality is excellent, and physicians and technicians meet stringent education and training requirements.

“We want our patients to know that we voluntarily meet those higher standards,” said Les Bascle, inpatient operations manager for radiology.

Both nuclear medicine and CT scans can be used safely on pediatric patients through precise, individualized adjustments in dosage and other aspects of the imaging process, Burleson said.

Radiologists make imaging decisions based on medical necessity and the nature of a patient’s illness or injury. Meanwhile, the amount of radiation exposure from medical imaging — if any — varies by procedure.

• Nuclear medicine: This type of procedure involves the use of low doses of radioactive isotopes that can be injected into the patient, ingested or inhaled as part of the diagnosis and treatment of a disease, including cancer.
• CT scan: This is a brief, targeted X-ray that creates detailed, 3-D images of a patient’s internal organs to allow a physician to better detect and treat a range of medical conditions.
• Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): These scans do not involve the use of any radiation to create detailed images of internal organs and tissue.

Mammography, meanwhile, requires a tiny dose of radiation. The Women’s Pavilion of STPH also is ACR-accredited and, like other mammography providers, must adhere to strict, federal standards for dose, image quality and other facets of care, including staff expertise.

“Our patients can have peace of mind knowing they are receiving high-quality mammograms from trained personnel using minimal radiation,” said Pam Ballard, Women’s Pavilion manager.

Bascle encourages patients to discuss their concerns about radiation safety with their physician and ask whether the benefits of a specific procedure outweigh any potential risk.

“People always have questions about radiation safety, so they should feel comfortable asking those questions,” he said.