Image Wisely Turns to Nuclear Medicine

Dose awareness is being extended to nuclear medicine exams with the development of online materials to guide providers on radiopharmaceutical dose utilization.

Image Wisely, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, the SNMMI Technologist Section and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology are collaborating to provide materials for physicians, medical physicists, and technologists. The materials are available at ImageWisely.org.

“Nuclear medicine exams help save and extend lives every day, but opportunities remain to ensure that each patient receives optimal care,” M. Elizabeth Oates, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology Nuclear Medicine Commission, said in a statement.

The nuclear medicine initiative urges providers to:

• Perform nuclear medicine procedures only when clinically indicated
• Individualize administered doses based on the specific clinical task 
• Employ maneuvers to minimize radiation dose
• Familiarize themselves with recommended administered activities

Providers can demonstrate their commitment to the cause by earning accreditation from the ACR or equivalent organization and by taking the Image Wisely pledge as an individual, facility or association.
 

“Radiation dose for all nuclear medicine and molecular imaging procedures should be
optimized so that the patient receives the smallest possible amount of radiopharmaceutical
that will provide the appropriate diagnostic information,” Frederic H. Fahey, DSc, FACR, FAAPM, SNMMI president and representative to Image Wisely, said in a statement.

Image Wisely is a collaborative initiative of the ACR, the Radiological Society of North America, ASRT and AAPM.