Setting Scottish diagnostic reference levels for mammography incorporating both craniocaudal and oblique projections between 30 and 80 mm.

Optimisation must be carried out on all medical radiological units to ensure doses are as low as reasonably practicable, consistent with the intended purpose. To achieve this, population doses must be estimated and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) set. For mammography examinations, mean glandular doses (MGDs) are calculated for this purpose.

Optimisation of performance for computed radiography in the West of Scotland.

This paper describes experiences in the introduction of computed radiography systems to hospitals within the West of Scotland. Setting of automatic exposure control levels has enabled dose-area product values to be maintained at 160 cGy cm² for lumbar spine antero-posterior (AP), 250 cGy cm² for lumbar spine lateral, 210 cGy cm² for pelvis AP and 260 cGy cm² for abdomen AP. The study looks at dose levels achieved after 8 y in use and compares the dose levels found from surveys undertaken in 2007 and in 2010.

Practical matters for the control of contamination in a nuclear medicine department.

A practicable and safe methodology is required for the control of contamination arising due to work in nuclear medicine departments, taking account of the range of radionuclides used for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A method for categorising radionuclides is proposed, based on their contamination derived limits. The categories utilised are: low energy gamma, imaging gamma, high energy gamma with beta, low energy beta, high energy beta and (51)Cr.