Quality and safety in abdominal imaging: How important?

Excerpt

In this issue of Abdominal Radiology, there is a series of articles covering multiple facets of quality and safety. Although the majority of information presented is applicable to all aspects of radiology, abdominal imaging provides a unique set of circumstances due to its utilization of a large number of modalities, inclusion of invasive procedures, need for integration with a broad swath of institutional and interdepartmental imperatives, and potential for harm. In their article, Imaging Wisely, Lu and Thomas [1] provide insight and guidelines for the appropriate and safe use of CT to limit patient radiation. In addition to scanner-based CT dose reduction techniques, the importance of selecting the most appropriate modality and CT protocol for the clinical indication is highlighted. As healthcare moves toward efficiency, quality and low cost of services, the key position of the radiologist is highlighted. …