Radiation protection and quality management systems (QMS)

It stresses that European radiation protection authorities should encourage users of ionizing radiation in medicine to implement quality management systems, or where quality management systems are already in place, to emphasise the need for radiation protection to be part of the overall system.

In all European countries, radiation protection legislation is based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Although the use of quality management systems is not mandatory in most countries, HERCA believes that quality management systems make it easier for licensees to meet radiation protection requirements. Quality management systems also increase patient safety by reducing the number of incidents and their severity.

The experience of regulatory authorities in Europe, as well as analysis of incidents, has shown that failure to meet radiation protection standards can often be attributed to management failures and a lack of oversight.

Quality management systems need to include processes for justification and optimisation of the use of ionising radiation on patients, as well as processes to ensure the radiation protection of staff and the environment. The roles and responsibilities of all parties need to be clearly defined.

Quality management systems need to be operational, staff need to have easy access to them, and they need to understand the importance of using the system.

Radiation protection organisations are encouraged to contribute to encouraging users of ionising radiation in medicine to integrate radiation protection into their quality management systems, thereby contributing to safer use of radiation and improved patient outcomes.

The full report can be read on the HERCA website.