Leadership, Practices, and Technology: Broadening the Perspective on Managing Radiation Dose

“Delivering the right care to the right patient, at the right time, with the appropriate radiation dose” is a key goal expressed by the healthcare community when discussing their radiation management programs. While it may sound simple, it takes diligence to implement in today’s environment. Whether it is in a single hospital or a hospital system, the complexity of implementing this goal increases when the healthcare provider has a mix of equipment and technologies, different protocols and processes to manage, a broad group of existing and current users who may have differing levels of knowledge, and a patient population with unique mix of medical conditions and considerations. However, this challenge can be successfully addressed with a comprehensive and dedicated dose management, education and quality assurance strategy using tools and methods that are currently available. Today, the conversation and activity is focused on the devices. While the technology is clearly important, the people and processes surrounding that technology are equally important. In fact, without the appropriate environment, even the most sophisticated of technologies may not be enough. To help, GE Healthcare has developed a programmatic approach to lower dose, the GE Blueprint. The GE Blueprint is based on the belief that effective dose management requires a holistic approach that helps ensure that highly skilled and trained healthcare professionals apply the most appropriate imaging tools and methods, under well-constructed policies and evidence-based best practices, for each patient, based on their medical need.

GE Blueprint supports healthcare organizations with information to help them proactively address key opportunities and improve the way they manage radiation across their enterprise.