In a national survey published in Academic Emergency Medicine, 97% of the 435 emergency physicians (EPs) that responded acknowledged sometimes ordering advanced diagnostic imaging procedures, i.e. computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they considered superfluous. The authors of the study state that overimaging “may be a systemic problem, as many EPs believe a substantial proportion of such studies, including some they personally order, are medically unnecessary.” Unnecessary CT scans expose patients to extra doses of radiation that may ultimately be detrimental to their health. The survey also asked respondents to cite factors they believe are contributing to the issue as well
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Electronic vs. Passive Dosimetry
Health physicist Neill Stanford of Stanford Dosimetry released a presentation examining the differences between electronic and passive dosimetry. Passive dosimeters such as film badge dosimeters and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) are typically used as the primary dosimeter to record the dose of legal record. With no immediate readouts or alarms, passive dosimeters must be sent to an accredited laboratory for processing in order to procure the dose of record. Electronic dosimeters not only provide immediate readouts and alarm options but also data logging, data upload, and access control. Real-time detection and measurement make electronic dosimeters especially useful in controlling doses, enabling them
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