Knowledge and practice of computed tomography exposure parameters amongst radiographers in Jordan

Rawashdeh, Mohammad; McEntee, Mark F.; Zaitoun, Maha; Abdelrahman, Mostafa; Brennan, Patrick C.; Alewaidat, Haytham; Lewis, Sarah; Saade, Charbel

doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.09.020

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Data were collected from seven scanners, of which two and five centers acquired image data in 256 and 128 slices. This represents approximately 31% of cardiac CT units in Jordan and exceeds the sample sizes used previously to establish reference levels in other countries . A sample size calculation indicated a difference <5% in dose would be detected at 0.8 power.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…PGM, also known as “step‐and‐shoot” or “sequential scan mode,” has been developed as an alternative mode to standard helical (spiral) scanning with retrospective electrocardiographic gating with the aim of decreasing radiation dose during CCT to patients with stable heart rates. Previous work by other authors has identified key contributors to variations in dose as radiographic settings, equipment factors, the level of quality assurance in place, radiographer training, radiographer experience, as well as patient body habitus . Dose optimization requires identification of which factors are the greatest contributor to variations in dose.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Establishment of diagnostic reference levels in cardiac computed tomography

Rawashdeh

Saade

Zaitoun

et al. 2019

J Applied Clin Med Phys

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The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in Jordan. Volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI vol ) and dose-length product (DLP) were collected from 228 CCTs performed at seven Jordanian hospitals specialized in cardiac CT. DRLs for cardiac CT were defined at the 75th percentile of CTDI vol and DLP. CTDI vol and DLP were collected from 30 successive cardiac CT in each center except for one center (18 scans). The 75th percentile of the CTDI vol and the DLP of the centers calculated from mixed retrospective and prospective gated modes were 47.74 milligray (mGy) and 1035 mGy/cm, respectively. This study demonstrated wide dose variations among the surveyed hospitals for cardiac CT scans; there was a 5.1-fold difference between the highest and lowest median DLP with a range of 223.2-1146.7 mGy/ cm. Differences were associated with variations in the mAs and kVp. This study confirmed large variability in CTDI vol and DLP for cardiac CT scans; variation was associated with acquisition protocols and highlights the need for dose optimization.DRLs are proposed for CCT; there remains substantial potential for optimization of cardiac CT examinations for adults in Jordan. K E Y W O R D S CCT, CTDI vol , DLP, DRL, Jordan 1 | INTRODUCTION Radiation doses differ between hospitals for standard-sized patients undergoing the same examination. 1 These dose variations are "primarily attributable to local choices regarding technical parameters, rather than patient, institution, or machine characteristics." Computed tomography (CT) has a large range of scanning options that lead to a large variation in patient radiation doses. Several factors affect radiation dose to patients undergoing cardiac computed tomography (CCT) procedures. 2 Concerns have been raised about the radiation exposure of CCT. Recently, prospective gated mode (PGM) was developed to reduce radiation dose. PGM, also known as "step-and-shoot" or "sequential scan mode," 3 has been developed as an alternative mode to standard helical (spiral) scanning with retrospective electrocardiographic gating with the aim of decreasing radiation dose during CCT to patients with stable heart rates. Previous work by other authors has identified key contributors to variations in dose as radiographic settings, equipment factors, the level of quality assurance in place, radiographer training, radiographer experience, as well as patient body habitus. 4,5 Dose optimization requires identification of which factors are the greatest contributor to variations in dose. Once the contribution of factors is established, operators can consider corrective action in a cost-effective manner. 4 ---

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 69%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishment of diagnostic reference levels in cardiac computed tomography

Rawashdeh

Saade

Zaitoun

et al. 2019

J Applied Clin Med Phys

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“…The knowledge findings in our study (72.2 %) were better than those presented in previous studies. For example, Norwegian radiographers showed a moderate knowledge of CT parameters, at 59.6 %, while Jordanian radiographers had better knowledge related to the effects of the CT parameters related to image quality and radiation dose, at 68.3 % [10]. Irish CT specialist participants concluded that they had good knowledge of CT parameters (70.3 %), but low knowledge regarding changing the parameters related to radiation dose reduction [11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The questionnaire used in this study was a modified version developed earlier in three different studies [10][11][12]. The questionnaire was reviewed by three senior CT technologists (with 20, 22, and 25 years of clinical experience) to ensure understandability.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the professional practice knowledge of computed tomography preceptors

Abuzaid

Elshami

Noorajan

et al. 2020

European Journal of Radiology Open

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This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of computed tomography (CT) clinical practice preceptors in terms of CT parameters affecting patient dose and image quality. Material and methods: A self-administered questionnaire that surveyed the participants' demographic information and knowledge about CT parameters and radiation doses was distributed to 60 CT preceptors. Results: The response rate of the invited technologists was 92 %. 38 (69 %) males and 17 (31 %) females aged between 24 and 59 years, with a mean age of 37.8. The participants' experience ranged between 2 and 24 years, with a mean of 15.5 years. The average knowledge score was 72.2 %, with a range of correct answers of 9-18 and a mean (± SD) of 13.1 ± 2.1. The participants showed a low awareness of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). However, they demonstrated good overall knowledge, with a potential for improvement and confidence in practice. Conclusions: Continuous medical education and professional development are a priority for improvement to ensure reliable delivery of health care and best practice. The findings of this study can be used by education institutes and health organizations when designing educational programs to ensure the highest training and performance of their technologists.

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“…Knowledge related to CT exposure parameters was measured using the Norwegian translation (translated, translated back and retranslated) of the English version of the questionnaire. The English version of the questionnaire was developed specifically to measure knowledge levels on CT exposure parameters and published in earlier studies [23,24]. However, these questionnaires were not validated.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of CT exposure parameters among Norwegian student radiographers

Kada

2020

BMC Med Educ

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Background Improvements in the competency levels of student radiographers in computed tomography examinations (CT) are important due to the increasing number of these examinations being undertaken in imaging departments. The present study assesses the knowledge of student radiographers regarding CT exposure parameters. Methods The level of knowledge related to CT exposure parameters was evaluated using a twenty-one-item questionnaire that was distributed to final-year student radiographers. The questionnaire consisted of questions around CT exposure parameters and either allowed respondents to answer “true,” or “false” or choose a response from a range of responses where only one answer was correct. Correct answers were given one mark, while no mark was given for an incorrect answer. The score out of possible 21 was converted to a percentage, with a higher percentage signifying greater knowledge. Results Seventy-two students completed and returned the questionnaire, resulting in a 71% response rate. The mean score was 53%. Only 33% of students correctly identified that kilovoltage peak (kVp) should be increased when patients have metallic implants, and milliampere seconds (mAs) should be increased as body part thickness increases. No one answered all the questions correctly. There was no significant knowledge difference between students who had CT facilities on campus and those that did not. Conclusion Overall, student radiographers’ knowledge of CT exposure parameters was reported to be satisfactory.

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Knowledge and practice of computed tomography exposure parameters amongst radiographers in Jordan

Cited by 23 publications

References 31 publications

Establishment of diagnostic reference levels in cardiac computed tomography

Establishment of diagnostic reference levels in cardiac computed tomography

Assessment of the professional practice knowledge of computed tomography preceptors

Knowledge of CT exposure parameters among Norwegian student radiographers

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