International Radiology Quality Network
IRQN
World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Global Initiative on Radiation Safety in Healthcare Settings World Health Organisation
- Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Devices Informal Consultation
Global Initiative on Radiation Safety in Healthcare Settings World Health Organisation
The Global Initiative on Radiation Safety in Healthcare Settings
(GIRSHS) is conducted by the Department of Public Health and
Environment (PHE) and its Interventions for Healthy Environmental
Unit under the Health Security and Environment Cluster (HSE). The aim is
to promote safer use of radiation and protect patients, workers and
the community in healthcare settings. The IRQN was invited to
participate in a Technical Meeting which was held on 15th to 17th
December 2008 following a preliminary meeting in June.
The meeting was attended by invited delegates from developed and
developing Member States, invited organizations (ACR, ALATRO, ASN,
ASTRO, EC, ESTRO, FORO, IAEA, ICRP, ILO, IOMP, IRPA, IRQN, ISR,
ISRRT, RCR and UNSCEAR) and WHO personnel.
The GIRSHS will identify and engage a broad range of stakeholders as
partners and end-users. A discipline and systematic approach will be
adopted to handle the key risks in radiation medicine, employing
risk assessment, risk control, risk management and risk
communication elements. Clearly articulated aims, principles and
prioritized activities will shape the initiative’s framework. A
well-constructed work plan will be required for an initiative
involving many stakeholder groups from the disciplines of diagnostic
imaging, interventional radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear
medicine.
The initiative is an exciting project of unprecedented scope. The
progress at this stage is promising as evident by the number and
range of stakeholders who have participated, shared ideas and
offered valuable suggestions. In 2009, a report of the meeting will
be released. The WHO will finalize and prioritize the initial
activities pending on the available funds.
In the last few years, the IRQN has trialled a number of activities
to improve quality in radiology and international collaboration. The
GIRSHS is an excellent opportunity for the network to contribute to
activities leading to a safer use of radiation in a coordinated way.
As an advocate, the IRQN can contribute by drafting evidence-based
information, education material to the stakeholders and providing
implementable recommendations to the regulatory bodies. As a
gatekeeper, the network can assist by providing tools to reduce dose
exposure by justification and optimization.
“Collaboration is strength” is the network’s motto and coordination
will enable a more effective use of resources. The IRQN looks
forward to actively participating in this exciting
WHO initiative.
Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Devices Informal Consultation
Under the WHO’s Health System and Services Cluster is the Department of Essential Health Technologies (EHT) and its Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Devices (DIM) Unit. The IRQN was invited by Dr. Stefan Groth, Director of the EHT Department to participate in an Informal Consultation on the role of WHO in Diagnostic Imaging. This consultation took place in the WHO HQ between 7th to 9th May 2009. The objectives of this meeting were:
- To discuss WHO’s role in diagnostic imaging;
- To achieve consensus on continuing, adjusting or realigning current WHO activities in diagnostic imaging, with focus in primary healthcare; and
- To obtain support and approval of the recommendations.
The meeting outcomes will help to draft a work plan for WHO
activities in diagnostic imaging in the coming years. The list of
invited participants includes individual experts, representatives
from international diagnostic imaging societies, organizations,
industry, other UN agencies and WHO regional offices.
The IRQN looks forward to working with the
Diagnostic Imaging and
Medical Devices Unit and the Department of Essential Health
Technologies to advance quality and safety in diagnostic imaging.
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News
A team of IRQN Referral Guidelines Working Group members were
invited to a WHO consultancy on “Referral Guidelines for Appropriate
Use of Radiation Imaging” in its Geneva HQ during March 2010. The
35 invited experts from 19 countries representing 23 international,
regional and national agencies and professional organizations have
agreed to collaborate and work towards the common objective and
develop a common set of referral guidelines on an appropriate use of
diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures. The experts also
agreed that it was feasible to conduct an international project to
achieve this goal… More here