Description Abstract This report was prepared to underpin the Commission's 2007 Recommendations with regard to the medical exposure
of patients, including their comforters and carers, and volunteers in biomedical research. It addresses the proper application of the
fundamental principles (justification, optimisation of protection, and application of dose limits) of the Commission's 2007 Recommendations
to these individuals. With regard to medical exposure of patients, it is not appropriate to apply dose limits or dose constraints, because
such limits would often do more harm than good. Often, there are concurrent chronic, severe, or even life-threatening medical conditions
that are more critical than the radiation exposure. The emphasis is then on justification of the medical procedures and on the optimisation
of radiological protection. In diagnostic and interventional procedures, justification of procedures (for a defined purpose and for an
individual patient), and management of the patient dose commensurate with the medical task, are the appropriate mechanisms to avoid unnecessary
or unproductive radiation exposure. Equipment features that facilitate patient dose management, and diagnostic reference levels derived
at the appropriate national, regional, or local level, are likely to be the most effective approaches. In radiation therapy, the avoidance
of accidents is a predominant issue. With regard to comforters and carers, and volunteers in biomedical research, dose constraints are
appropriate. Over the last decade, the Commission has published a number of documents that provided detailed advice related to radiological
protection and safety in the medical applications of ionising radiation. Each of the publications addressed a specific topic defined
by the type of radiation source and the medical discipline in which the source is applied, and was written with the intent of communicating
directly with the relevant medical practitioners and supporting medical staff. This report consolidates that advice.
Contents 1. Background
2. Scope of Ionising Radiation in Medicine
3. Brief Summary of Biological Basis for Radiological Protection
4.
Dosimetric Quantities
5. The Framework of Radiological Protection in the New Recommendations
6. Unique Aspects of Radiological
Protection in Medicine for Patients
7. Discussion of the Term 'Practice'
8. Justification of a Radiological Practice in
Medicine
9. Optimisation of Protection for Patients in Medical Exposures
10. Diagnostic Reference Levels
11. Individual
Dose Limits
12. Preventing Accidents and Emergencies in Medicine
13. Emergency Medical Situations with Radioactive Materials
14. Education and Training
15. Institutional Arrangements
16. Practical Methods of Protection Other than for Patients
Appendix.
Focused Evaluations of Radiological Protection in Medicine
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