IAC Testifies at FDA Public Hearing on Reduction of Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging

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As part of its newly announced Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a public meeting on March 30-31 in Maryland. The initiative is a collaborative effort aimed at minimizing the risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation in certain types of medical imaging procedures, while supporting the benefits these exams can provide. The initiative focuses on the three types of procedures that the FDA states are the greatest contributors to the U.S. population’s total radiation exposure from medical imaging: computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy and nuclear medicine studies.

Sandra Katanick, CAE, CEO of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), provided testimony during the hearing related to the beneficial role of mandatory imaging accreditation as a tool for use by the FDA, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the health care professional community in reducing unnecessary radiation exposure from medical imaging. Providing background on the IAC structure and its purpose of providing peer review accreditation through the establishment of quality standards through collaboration with multiple professional medical membership organizations, Ms. Katanick emphasized the role of imaging accreditation on quality measures related to the awareness of and reduction in radiation exposure.

In addition, she discussed the concept of Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) and the integration of AUC into the accreditation standards to assist providers in evaluating whether the right studies are being performed for the right indications, at appropriate intervals.

Ms. Katanick explained that through imaging accreditation, laboratories are required to document their adherence to mandatory processes that require ongoing oversight and training to help minimize operator error, thus working to ensure safety and quality:

1. Equipment Standards

2. Staffing Requirements

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