ROSSLYN, Va., May 26, 2016—The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published NEMA XR 31-2016 Standard Attributes on X-ray Equipment for Interventional Procedures. The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, developed this new standard using MITA Smart Dose Interventional technology. This standard offers healthcare providers a reference to identify key features which contribute to enhanced patient care and to help manage patient radiation dose delivery, while still enabling the system to provide sufficient image quality needed by the physician.
NEMA XR 31-2016 Standard Attributes on X-ray Equipment for Interventional Procedures describes eight features that should be taken into consideration when performing risk management evaluations on existing stationary x-ray interventional equipment. These key features were introduced over the course of the past decade and are now considered state of the art: dosimetric indications
added filters
range of air kerma rates in fluoroscopy
last-image-hold
virtual collimation
stored fluoroscopy
variable pulsed fluoroscopy
digital x-ray imaging device
"MITA is dedicated to developing standards for medical imaging equipment that enhances patient safety by providing dose reduction, mitigation, and management features," said Megan Hayes, MITA director of regulatory and standards strategy. "The MITA Smart Dose Interventional standard identifies state-of-the-art attributes that will help manage patient dose while ensuring high image quality for the physician."
This new standard is geared towards x-ray manufacturers, interventional x-ray manufacturers, and fluoroscopy manufacturers.
NEMA XR 31-2016 may be downloaded at no cost on the NEMA website.
