ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

For practices with more than one scanner at the one location ( i.e. same LSPN) a single Practice Reference Level (PRL) for an individual protocol and age group can be calculated by using the  average of the multiple scanner PRLs. The PRL can then be compared against established Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) enabling a practice to compare their dose efficiency performance in relation to their peers.

Note: Until enough Australian data has been submitted to generate local DRLs, ARPANSA will be comparing the PRLs with established European DRLs.

The purpose of the report is to provide a record of the range of doses submitted for the specific acquisition protocol you used for that group of patients. The principle unit of dose is the dose-length product (DLP, mGy.cm ) which is the product of CTDI_vol x scan length. The DLP is displayed on your control console panel either before or after you have scanned the patient.

The report provides your Practice Reference Level which is the median patient dose for that particular protocol.

The practice report comprises 3 pages, provided in an easy to understand format.

Page One

The first page shows the following details:

1. The anatomical protocol chosen, e.g. Chest.
2. The name and make of the scanner.
3. The age group of the patients surveyed.
4. The date you started and submitted the survey.
   
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5. Survey Outcome Table
1. The Survey Outcome Table shows your Practice Reference Level dose (as dose length product), for the specific protocol, as well as the European Average DRL.
2. You can compare your PRL dose with the European Average DRL dose.
   Note: Once sufficient data is obtained from this national survey, your PRL can then be compared with Australian DRLs (see Note 1). No comment will be given until Australian National DRLs are established.
   
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6. Bar graph
   1. The bar graph shows the number of patients who received the submitted dose length product (DLP) for the specific protocol.
   2. The vertical blue solid line represents your Practice Reference Level whilst the vertical red broken line is the European Average DRL
   3. This graphic demonstrates the spread of DLPs and how they compare to the European Average DRL.
   4. If your PRL is above the European Average DRL and this dose level cannot be clinically justified then you should consider optimising your exposure protocols.
      
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Page Two

The second page shows a Table of European DRLs for a single anatomical region divided into low, average and high cohorts of data. The average value is used as the European Average DRL on page 1.

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A Graph and Table is also provided covering each of the protocols relevant to the whole MDCT survey showing low, average and high cohort doses. You can use this information to gain an understanding of typical DRL doses used internationally.

The low, medium and high DRL figures were calculated from a European survey of 10 EU countries referenced on page 1 of this report.

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Page Three

The third page shows a record of the technical scan parameters and patient  data that you submitted for that individual anatomical protocol. You can then cross reference the individual patient data with the corresponding graph shown on page one.

Please refer to the User Manual and Glossary for further information and explanation of terminology.

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You can also contact ARPANSA on the toll free number or email address provided on the bottom of the report.

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