Estimation of the collective dose in the Portuguese population due to medical procedures in 2010

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Teles, P (Author) Other; Carmen de Sousa, MC (Author) Other; Paulo, G (Author) Other; Santos, J (Author) Other; Pascoal, A (Author) Other; Cardoso, G (Author) Other; Lanca, I (Author) Other; Matela, N (Author) Other; Janeiro, L (Author) Other; Sousa, P (Author) Other; Carvoeiras, P (Author) Other; Parafita, R (Author) Other; Santos, AI (Author) Other; Simaozinho, P (Author) Other; Vaz, P (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Radiation Protection Dosimetry

Vol. 154

Pages: 446-458

ISSN: 0144-8420

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 12 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-0XY

DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs258

Abstract (EN): In a wide range of medical fields, technological advancements have led to an increase in the average collective dose in national populations worldwide. Periodic estimations of the average collective population dose due to medical exposure is, therefore of utmost importance, and is now mandatory in countries within the European Union (article 12 of EURATOM directive 97/43). Presented in this work is a report on the estimation of the collective dose in the Portuguese population due to nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures and the Top 20 diagnostic radiology examinations, which represent the 20 exams that contribute the most to the total collective dose in diagnostic radiology and interventional procedures in Europe. This work involved the collaboration of a multidisciplinary taskforce comprising representatives of all major Portuguese stakeholders (universities, research institutions, public and private healthcare providers, administrative services of the National Healthcare System, scientific and professional associations and private service providers). This allowed us to gather a comprehensive amount of data necessary for a robust estimation of the collective effective dose to the Portuguese population. The methodology used for data collection and dose estimation was based on European Commission recommendations, as this work was performed in the framework of the European wide Dose Datamed II project. This is the first study estimating the collective dose for the population in Portugal, considering such a wide national coverage and range of procedures and consisting of important baseline reference data. The taskforce intends to continue developing periodic collective dose estimations in the future. The estimated annual average effective dose for the Portuguese population was of 0.0800.017 mSv caput(1) for nuclear medicine exams and of 0.960.68 mSv caput(1) for the Top 20 diagnostic radiology exams.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13