Oakbrook Terrace group urges caution on excess radiation

An accrediting group based in Oakbrook Terrace is urging hospitals to find ways to reduce patients’ exposure to repeated radiation doses.

In a new alert issued Wednesday, the Joint Commission says hospitals should pay more attention to risks of long-term damage including cancer linked with too much radiation. The risk is from too many imaging tests that use radiation, including CT scans.

Commission president Dr. Mark Chassin says the diagnostic tests are often necessary, but must be used with caution.

The commission’s recommendations include use of imaging other than CT scans, such as ultrasound or MRIs, when possible. It also urges using the lowest possible radiation dose for diagnostic tests.