DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS: CONCEPT, MISCONCEPTIONS AND CURRENT TRENDS-A REVIEW

Flavious Bobuin Nkubli; Christian Chukwuemeka Nzotta; Joseph Dlama Zira

DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS: CONCEPT, MISCONCEPTIONS AND CURRENT TRENDS-A REVIEW

Flavious Bobuin Nkubli, Christian Chukwuemeka Nzotta, Joseph Dlama Zira

Abstract

The concept of diagnostic reference level has been in existence for almost three decades. It has also found its place in regulatory systems for nearly 20 years. Currently, national bodies are expected to establish their diagnostic reference level values. There is also provision for local and regional diagnostic reference levels. Also, almost all regulatory systems include the use of diagnostic reference levels for patient protection as an optimization tool. Despite the foregoing, there is still a lack of knowledge of the concept within the medical community. This prompted the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to review its current document on diagnostic reference level with a view to come up with a new one consistent with current technology and practice. This paper seeks to review the concept, misconceptions and current trends in diagnostic reference level with special focus on some revised section in the new (ICRP) document.

Key words; diagnostic reference level, optimization tool, International Commission on Radiological Protection, concept, current trends

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References

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