The DIMOND project and its impact on radiation protection.

The DIMOND III project comprised work packages and subprojects to research digital imaging, interventional radiology and interventional cardiology, i.e. areas where there has been rapid technological change, not matched by radiation protection research. Whilst new practices have great potential benefit, there are risks to patients and staff if the technology is implemented inappropriately. DIMOND aimed to develop generic technology assessment and optimisation tools. Clinical quality criteria and technical parameters were included so that digital imaging procedures can be introduced appropriately. Frequency and dimensions of acceptance and constancy testing for digital imaging systems were studied, along with differences between objective measures of image quality and subjective indices. Patient dosimetry was performed to propose and to establish reference values. Clinical evaluation projects included cardiology, interventional radiology and digital mammography. As a result of the DIMOND project, quality criteria for several procedures were developed. Example results are presented in this paper.