Establishment and utilization of diagnostic reference levels in medical imaging: Results from a survey and consultation under the IAEA technical cooperation programme in Europe and Central Asia.

The paper presents the results of the activities under the IAEA Technical Cooperation programme in Europe and Central Asia, aiming to improve utilization of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) in the region through identifying status, problems, and gaps in establishing and utilization of the DRLs, and suggesting potential solutions. Status was identified through a survey with two electronic questionnaires answered by the regulatory bodies for radiation protection of 26 IAEA Member States and 34 representatives of relevant professional bodies of medical physics, radiology, nuclear medicine or radiographers. Problems, good practices and potential solutions were identified as a result of the discussion during a regional workshop with 50 nominated representatives of 21 countries.

Improved performance of neutron activation analysis laboratories by feedback workshops following interlaboratory comparison rounds.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) implemented an innovative project for assisting neutron activation analysis laboratories in improving the validity of their results by feedback workshops for discussion of results from participation in interlaboratory comparisons rounds in 2010. The participants learned during these meetings to identify the most probable sources of errors in their analytical procedures and how to implement corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence. The outcome of successive rounds between 2010 and 2018 is discussed and experiences during the feedback workshops are given.