Bay Pines VA Radiologists Improve Outcomes for Veterans by Reducing Radiation Exposure
Radiation is the transfer of energy through space and for more than a century, medical professionals have utilized this phenomenon to treat patients. While it has its benefits, radiation exposure may also induce concern in those who receive it.
To combat this unease, radiologists at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System set out to reduce the amount of radiation Veterans are exposed to, one scan at a time.
During the 2024 Florida Radiological Society annual meeting, Bay Pines VA Staff Radiologists Dr. Carlos Martinez and Dr. Jennifer Dutmers were awarded the Quality and Safety award for their work on reducing the amount of radiation that Veterans are exposed to during Computed Tomography (CT) of paranasal sinuses.
“Diagnostic imaging is an integral part of the practice of medicine,” Dutmers said. “CT of the paranasal sinuses is a very commonly performed exam to identify inflammation, polyps, tumors, and other abnormalities in the sinuses. Radiology technologists make every effort to minimize the cumulative dose [of radiation] by reducing, as much as possible, the amount [administered during] each exam.”
According to Dutmers, reducing radiation during CT scans is important because even though the doses used are low, any amount of ionizing radiation that the body receives may increase the risk of developing cancer, especially with repeated scans. Because of this, Dutmers and her colleagues felt it was crucial to take on a project that uncovered how to minimize radiation exposure whenever possible.
“The project began with data collection in the summer of 2023,” Martinez shared. “By the end of the year, new protocols were being implemented and re-evaluated periodically to ensure the new methods for reduced radiation exposure were being followed.”
Through referencing the available data, following new protocols, and taking a closer look at scan doses and time limits, Dutmers and Martinez were able to accomplish their goal of delivering the lowest possible dose of radiation during the CT of paranasal sinuses, while still providing a high-quality image.
“Our data proves that we can reduce radiation to patients undergoing paranasal sinus CT by [using these methods],” said Dutmers. “This [strategy] has already been implemented at three sites across VISN 8, helping more Veterans than just at our home institution.”
Martinez added that this reduced radiation project does not just focus on CT, but it is part of an ongoing effort of the radiologists and technologists at Bay Pines VA to help physicians at VA healthcare systems across the nation reduce the amount of radiation Veterans are exposed to during other imaging procedures, such as radiography and fluoroscopy.
For Dutmers and Martinez, receiving the Quality and Safety award marks the beginning of a pattern of improvements in care they hope to implement in the future.
“It feels great to be recognized for our work! This ongoing project has been part of a greater effort for quality improvement and radiation dose reduction,” said Dutmers. “We hope to continue our efforts in dose reduction with other measures and examinations throughout radiology that will [benefit] as many Veterans as possible.”