Everyone on Earth is exposed to radiation from natural sources continually. The effect of this natural radiation is called the "background dose" and is experienced on a daily basis through normal day-to-day activities. When a patient undergoes an exam that uses X-rays to form the image, such as a CT exam or an X-ray, an additional amount of radiation exposure occurs.

Radia's first concern is always for the safety of the patient.

One of the most important ways we ensure patient safety is by reducing radiation dose whenever possible. To this end, our radiologists have developed a set of standard low-dose CT protocols that have been implemented in each of our outpatient facilities and local partner hospitals, allowing our technologists to take high-quality CT images with the lowest possible radiation exposure.

In addition, all of Radia's outpatient facilities are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and each of our technologists are registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as well as carrying advanced registries in CT. We follow the recommended ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) dosing guidelines and use Image Gently practices on our pediatric patients. Radia has continued to be at the forefront of safe imaging, and we have the years of experience and expertise to ensure that our CT exams are routinely being performed using the lowest radiation dose possible.

Imaging exams using X-rays are powerful tools for diagnosing many types of illnesses, and although there is always some risk involved, the official opinion of the FDA is that "the individual risk from the radiation associated with a CT scan is quite small compared to the benefits that accurate diagnosis and treatment can provide."

For more general information on radiation safety, please visit the American College of Radiology website at www.acr.org or download the ACR Sample Dose Chart.

To view videos and see information on radiation exposure during CT exams, please visit Radiologyinfo.org.