Dose-tracking software provides effective and easy monitoring of radiation dose exposure in a busy academic practice, according to research conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital.

For commonly ordered abdominal CT exams, iterative reconstruction techniques enabled approximately 50 percent radiation dose reduction compared to the national averages reported in the Dose Index Registry.

"A busy practice with diverse CT technology and remote scanner locations encounters challenges in assessing institutional performance in lowering radiation doses," said researcher Yasir Andrabi. "Software-based dose monitoring simplifies the complex and essential quality and safety assurance with CT scanning irrespective of the scanner location."

Dr. Andrabi presented his study at the 2014 ARRS Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.