For some common radiographic examinations, the EU has published
guidelines that give diagnostic requirements, criteria for radiation dose and
examples of good radiographic technique.The implementation of diagnostic reference
levels has led to a reduction in patient absorbed doses and must be considered
as a successful radiological protection action and a first step towards achieving
optimal imaging conditions Internationally, the concept of diagnostic reference levels (see Chapters 22
and 24) has been implemented in some countries and diagnostic standard
doses are periodically measured locally in the hospitals and compared with the
reference levels.If the reference level is exceeded in a particular X ray room,
the hospital needs to review their imaging conditions and to consider, and
possibly implement, corrective action to reduce the dose if the clinical image
quality requirements can still be met.For example 'visually sharp
reproduction' means that the details are clearly defined, whereas 'visualization'
reflects a situation where the details are detected but not fully reproduced.The image criteria relate to
important anatomical structures that should be visible in the images.