FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO REDUCE RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM MEDICAL IMAGING

FROM:  FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging
Like all medical procedures, computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine imaging exams present both benefits and risks.  These types of imaging procedures have led to improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous medical conditions.  At the same time, these types of exams expose patients to ionizing radiation, which may elevate a person’s lifetime risk of developing cancer.  As part of a balanced public health approach, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeks to support the benefits of these medical imaging exams while minimizing the risks.

Through the Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging, FDA is advocating the universal adoption of two principles of radiation protection: appropriate justification for ordering each procedure, and careful optimization of the radiation dose used during each procedure.  Each patient should get the right imaging exam, at the right time, with the right radiation dose.
In support of this goal, FDA will use our regulatory authority and also collaborate with others in the Federal government and the healthcare professional community to:
Promote safe use of medical imaging devices;
Support informed clinical decision making; and
Increase patient awareness.

By coordinating these efforts, we can optimize patient exposure to radiation from certain types of medical imaging exams, and thereby reduce related risks while maximizing the benefits of these studies.