EuroSafe Imaging
EuroSafe Imaging is the European Society of Radiology’s flagship initiative to promote quality and safety in medical imaging. The mission of EuroSafe Imaging is to support and strengthen medical radiation protection across Europe following a holistic, inclusive approach.
ESR-led Radiation Protection Projects
The European co-ordinated action on improving justification of computed tomography (EU-JUST-CT) project aims to improve justification of computed tomography in Europe through co-ordinated action.
The European Union Radiation, Education, Staffing & Training (EU-REST) study aims to provide an analysis of workforce availability, education, and training needs to ensure quality and safety aspects of medical applications involving ionising radiation in the EU.
The Constant improvement in quality and safety of radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine through clinical audit (QuADRANT) project concluded in July 2022 and has reviewed the status of implementation of clinical audit – which is a key BSS Directive requirement in medicine – in Member States, to identify good practices, and develop guidance and recommendations.
The European Study on Clinical Diagnostic Reference Levels for X-ray Medical Imaging (EUCLID) was concluded successfully with the acceptance of the final project report in October 2020. The study provided up-to-date clinical Diagnostic Reference Levels for the most important, from a radiation protection perspective, x-ray imaging tasks in Europe.
Basic Safety Standards
Euratom Directive
The Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive (2013/59/Euratom) sets safety standards for exposure to ionising radiation. The 2013 directive represents a significant overhaul of radiation protection legislation in the EU, consolidating a number of separate directives (including directive 97/43/Euratom on medical exposures) into a single piece of legislation.
The BSS directive sets out rules regarding justification, patient information, dose recording and reporting, diagnostic reference levels and the delineation of responsibilities of health professionals. After entry into force of the Directive 2013/59/Euratom on 6 February 2014, Member States had four years (i.e. 6 February 2018) to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive.
Led by the Radiation Protection Subcommittee, the ESR developed a summary of the BSS directive that includes the essentials for diagnostic radiology.
International Basic Safety Standards
The IAEA has adopted non-binding international basic safety standards in cooperation with a number of organisations including the WHO and the European Commission. The current international guidance document for radiation protection was published in 2014.