Advisory DI23/01: Revised Diagnostic Reference Levels for Nuclear Medicine and Positron Emission Tomography
To inform imaging practices of the revision of the national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET).
Advisory details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Advisory number | DI23/01 |
| Version number | 1.0 |
| Publication date | 3 July 2023 |
| Replaces | N/A |
| Compliance with this advisory | Mandatory for Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) accrediting agencies and diagnostic imaging practices. |
| Information in this advisory applies to |
|
| Key relationship | 2016 DIAS Standard 3.2: Optimised Radiation Technique Charts |
| Attachment | N/A |
| Notes | N/A |
| Responsible officer | Margaret Banks Director, National Standards Phone: 1800 304 056 Email: AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au |
| To be reviewed | December 2024 |
Purpose
To inform imaging practices of the revision of the national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET).
Issue
In June 2023, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) published revised national DRLs for nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography.
ARPANSA has published the DRLs on their website.
Requirements
Standard 3.2 Optimised Radiation Technique Charts of the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) Standards, require an imaging practice to:
- Ensure the radiation doses administered to patients are annually compared to the national DRLs published by ARPANSA.
- Review imaging protocols when DRLs are exceeded and determine if radiation doses are optimised.
The audit records of the comparison and review are the evidence used by accrediting agencies to assess compliance with the DIAS standards.
From 1 January 2024, the evidence submitted to the accrediting agencies must show:
- Updated policies for undertaking a DRL comparison
- Evidence that facility reference levels have been compared against the updated DRLs and, when doses are exceeded, action has been taken to determine if radiation doses and administered activity are optimised.
For more information
The ARPANSA website has further information about DRLs, for enquiries about DRL calculations or the National Diagnostic Reference Level Service, contact ARPANSA via 1800 033 972 or ndrld@arpansa.gov.au.
For guidance on evidentiary requirements for Standard 3.2, see the User Guide for Diagnostic Imaging Practices Applying for Accreditation and contact your accreditation agency for further information and advice.
Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme – User guide for practices applying for accreditation
Additionally, imaging practices can refer to Advisory DI21/03: Requirements for comparison with national diagnostic reference levels for advice about the requirements for conducting DRL audits.