Website and Apps Help Consumers Track Radiation Exposure from Diagnostic Imaging

A new website, applications (apps), and radiation calculator tools are now available for both online and Apple mobile devices.

Scientific developments in diagnostic imaging have provided more tools to help physicians examine some of the body’s most perplexing health conditions. While diagnostic imaging is an instrumental tool for identifying and treating many illnesses, consumers must work with their physicians to identify the most appropriate imaging options that limit unnecessary exposure to radiation. With developments in imaging tests and increased utilization, people are now being exposed to nearly seven times more radiation from medical devices than they were in 1980, making it increasingly important for consumers to play a role in monitoring their radiation exposure.
[US] National Imaging Associates (NIA), a subsidiary of Magellan Health Services (Avon, CT, USA), announced the launch of their online Radiation Calculator and apps for the Apple (Cupertino, CA, USA) iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. These new tools are designed to help consumers calculate and track radiation exposure from medical imaging and to provide the information to make well informed decisions that limit unnecessary exposure. The online tool can be found online (please see Related Links below) and the free app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store.

“With the rapid advancements in imaging and increasing utilization beyond the traditional radiology department, tools like the Radiation Calculator are essential and empower patients to have a conversation with their physicians about all of their options for arriving at a diagnosis,” said Michael Pentecost, MD, associate chief medical officer at NIA.
Consumers who use the Radiation Calculator tools can easily input their age, gender, types of imaging tests they have undergone, and the area of the body for each test and receive an estimate of their radiation exposure. The calculator also provides comparisons to help users provide background for their results: consumers can compare their own radiation exposure to the average for their age group or other real-world situations such as the radiation exposure of a cross-country flight or annual natural exposure.

“Radiation safety is our first concern, and the Radiation Calculator tools reflect our commitment to ensuring consumers have a way to measure and understand radiation exposure,” said Tina Blasi, chief executive officer of NIA. “Radiation Calculator reflects our continued commitment to patient safety and clinical excellence in supporting our providers, consumers, and health plan customers.”

Exposure to radiation can affect people differently, depending on age and overall health as well as the intensity, location and duration of the exposure, which is why it is important to use the Radiation Calculator or app as a guide and discuss the results with a physician. The Radiation Calculator tools were developed using industry and internationally recognized references, and provide general benchmarks for the age range and diagnostic imaging studies entered. The application offers results that are easy to understand for consumers.

A Facebook app version of the Radiation Calculator is planned for release in the near future.

Related Links:
Magellan Health Services
Apple
Radiation Calculator