Thomas G. Dehn, MD, FACR, Chief Medical Officer, NIA
Michael J. Pentecost, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer, NIA

Recent reports about excessive medical radiation have prompted significant media attention and visibility within the health care industry. Most recently, this has led government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to move forward with attempts to address the issue.

Through the Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging, the FDA advocates universal adoption of radiation protection principals, aimed at minimizing risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure. The initiative specifically targets utilization of computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy and nuclear medicine - the greatest contributors to total radiation exposure within the U.S.

In a collaborative effort, the FDA plans to work with other government and health care organizations to:

1. Promote safe use of medical imaging devices;
2. Support informed clinical decision making; and
3. Increase patient awareness.

At National Imaging Associates (NIA), we applaud this initiative and compliment the FDA for investing time and energy in addressing an industry issue that carries such important patient safety implications. We strongly support the FDA's call for greater awareness and collaboration across various government and health care entities, and we acknowledge the value of the government's involvement. The credibility and visibility of the FDA's involvement likely will make a significant impact on this long-standing issue.

Additionally, we agree that the best way to protect consumers against unnecessary radiation exposure is to implement a system of checks and balances that mitigate this risk. In fact, the FDA-led initiative is largely consistent with the tenets of NIA's own radiation exposure safeguards that have been protecting the best interests of our customers and their members for many years...

To learn more about this initiative and NIA's radiation exposure safeguards, download your copy of Addressing Radiation Overexposure (PDF).