Radiology Societies Collaborate to Promote Use of Lower Radiopharmaceutical Doses in Nuclear Imaging Scans

American radiology and nuclear medicine societies have created easily accessible online educational resources to help providers use the lowest radiopharmaceutical dose necessary to perform nuclear medicine scans.

The material have been made available by The American College of Radiology (ACR; Reston, VA, USA) and Image Wisely, in collaboration with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI; Reston, VA, USA), SNMMI Technologist Section, and American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC; Bethesda, MD, USA).

Medical physicists, physicians, and imaging technologists are encouraged to visit Image Wisely (please see Related Links below) to review this important information and use the material in their clinical practice. “This collaborative initiative illustrates the commitment by those in the medical imaging community to ensure that medical protocols keep pace with advancing technology and that we continue to put patient safety and quality of care above all,” said James A. Brink, MD, cochair of Image Wisely.

“Nuclear medicine exams help save and extend lives every day, but opportunities remain to ensure that each patient receives optimal care. I can’t urge providers strongly enough to use the materials gathered for this Image Wisely initiative,” said M. Elizabeth Oates, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology Nuclear Medicine Commission.

The new Image Wisely nuclear medicine initiative advises nuclear medicine providers to perform nuclear medicine procedures only when clinically indicated; customize administered doses based on the specific clinical task; utilize tactics to minimize radiation dose; and familiarize themselves with recommended administered activities. “I strongly encourage nuclear medicine providers to avail themselves of the materials gathered and created for this initiative and to work together with all members of their team to provide the best patient care possible,” said Gordon DePuey, MD, FASNC, ASNC representative to Image Wisely.

“I appeal to all medical physicists involved in nuclear medicine to review, save and share these materials, and engage all nuclear medicine team members to strengthen radiation optimization in their facilities,” said Larry Williams, PhD, American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) representative to Image Wisely.

Image Wisely urges imaging providers to demonstrate to patients that they “image wisely” by earning accreditation from the ACR (or equivalent accrediting organization) and by taking the Image Wisely initiative. There are now three online pledge options: pledge as an individual, pledge as a facility, or pledge as an association.

“Radiation dose for all nuclear medicine and molecular imaging procedures should be optimized so that the patient receives the smallest possible amount of radiopharmaceutical that will provide the appropriate diagnostic information. I ask that nuclear medicine providers take advantage of the important materials offered and that they demonstrate their commitment to patient care by taking the pledge to ‘image wisely,’” said Frederic H. Fahey, DSc, FACR, FAAPM, SNMMI president and representative to Image Wisely.

“Medical imaging technologists are vital members of the nuclear medicine team. It is important that they are familiar with the materials gathered and created for this effort, and that they share these resources with others and remind them of their importance by taking the Image Wisely pledge,” said Greg Morrison, MA, RT(R), American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT; Albuquerque, NM, USA) chief operating officer.

Image Wisely is a collaborative initiative of the ACR, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA, ASRT, and American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM; College Park, MD, USA). The four charter members of Image Wisely represent more than 200,000 physicians, radiologic technologists, and medical physicists who play key roles in medical imaging.

Related Links:
American College of Radiology
Image Wisely
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging