Image gently: using exposure indicators to improve pediatric digital radiography.

Abstract

Digital radiography has become the norm in U.S. hospitals. The ability to view images, postprocess, and transmit the images systemwide immediately are distinct advantages. Yet, these technical advances create challenges for the radiology community, including the need to re-educate the workforce and prevent unnecessary radiation exposure. This education process is even more important for those who image children, where maintaining diagnostic image quality at a properly managed dose is critical. Because children are more sensitive than adults to the potential effects of ionizing radiation, particular attention to technique and its relationship to patient dose is important. This article emphasizes the need for attention to the basics of radiography and the importance of a standard approach in pediatric digital radiography. The purpose of this article is to:  Review the basics of radiography.  Explain the differences between film-screen radiography and digital radiography.  Discuss the meaning of the exposure indicators in digital radiography.  Introduce the new International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) exposure terminology standard.  Expound on the applicability of the new IEC terminology in quality assurance.

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