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24 August 2015
New resources help parents and clinicians better understand the benefits and risks of CT
scans for children and young people
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) has today
released a range of resources aimed at reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to children and
young people from computed tomography scans (CT scans).
Over 80,000 CT scans are performed on children and young people in Australia each year.1 CT
scans are a valuable diagnostic tool of benefit in a wide range of clinical situations. However, they
use a higher level of ionising radiation than other types of imaging and their use on children and
young people has been linked to a slight increase in the risk of developing cancer later in life.2
Professor Villis Marshall, Chair of the Commission, said “The resources we’ve developed with our
partners are designed to provide guidance for those involved in the pathway of care – from parents
and carers, to the referring doctors and dentists who request CT scans, and the imaging
professionals who perform them.”
Professor Susan Moloney, Staff Specialist and Director of Paediatrics at the Gold Coast University
Hospital said “It is important to remember that a CT scan which is warranted, will almost always
result in more benefit than harm to most patients. However, these resources will help ensure that CT
imaging is only performed when clinically necessary with radiation doses that are as low as
possible.”
Professor Marshall had this message for parents and carers: “If your child needs a CT scan, or has
had one in the past, don’t be alarmed. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and
potential risks associated with CT scans.”
Brochures for parents and carers outlining the benefits and risks of CT scans are available now at
general practices, dentists, medical imaging centres and early childhood health centres across
Australia. These brochures and their companion posters also provide useful questions parents and
carers can ask their doctor, specialist or dentist about CT scans and are available at
www.safetyandquality.gov.au/ctscansforkids.
A fact sheet for referring doctors has also been updated to provide information on the typical
radiation doses and the key questions to consider when deciding whether to refer a child for a CT
scan. To support radiographers who undertake CT scans for children and young people, the
Australian Institute of Radiography has developed an online training module.
All the resources mentioned, and many others dedicated to CT scans for children and young people,
are available now through Healthdirect, which has also partnered with the Commission to develop
this valuable resource. See www.healthdirect.gov.au/ctscansforkids.
1
Based on 2013–14 financial year Medicare data; does not include patients imaged as public inpatients.
Mathews JD et al. Cancer risk in 680,000 people exposed to computed tomography scans in childhood or adolescence:
data linkage study of 11 million Australians. BMJ.2013;346:2360
2
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Trim: D15-24159
This work was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and is supported by
partnerships with Healthdirect Australia, NPS MedicineWise, the Association for the Wellbeing of
Children in Healthcare, Australian Institute of Radiography, the Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Radiologists, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Australian
Dental Association, Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and
Australian Society of Orthodontists.
– ENDS –
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Erica Hall, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
(02) 9126 3548 or erica.hall@safetyandquality.gov.au
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
The Commission leads and coordinates improvements in safety and quality in health care across Australia. This includes developing
national standards, providing advice about best practice, coordinating work in specific areas to improve outcomes for patients, and
providing information, publications and resources for healthcare teams, healthcare providers, organisations and policy makers. For more
information visit www.safetyandquality.gov.au
Healthdirect Australia
This organisation works with a selected group of information partners who provide trusted content that can be accessed on line.
Healthdirect online services have a strong search function and operate as gateways to information on their information partner websites,
giving users assurance that resources are from a trusted sources.
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
ARPANSA is the Australian Government's primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety. ARPANSA regulates
Commonwealth entities using radiation with the objective of protecting people and the environment from the harmful effect of radiation.
ARPANSA has undertaken a related Project, Radiation Protection of the Patient. This is an online learning module for health care
practitioners who request procedures that use radiation. Health care professionals can access this at www.arpansa.gov.au/rpop/module/.
NPS MedicineWise
Independent, evidence-based and not-for-profit, NPS MedicineWise enables better decisions about medicines and medical tests, including
imaging tests. We receive funding from the Australian Government Department of Health. Visit www.nps.org.au for more information.
Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare (AWCH)
AWCH is a non-profit organisation of parents, professionals and community members who work together to ensure the emotional and
social needs of children, adolescents and their families are recognised and met within hospitals and the health care system in Australia.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
RANZCR the peak professional college for radiologists and radiation oncologists. It is a not-for-profit association of members who deliver
skills, knowledge, insight, time and commitments to promote the science and practice of the medical specialties of clinical radiology
(diagnostic and interventional) and radiation oncology in Australia and New Zealand.
Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)
AIR is the peak body for those health professionals who work in the disciplines of Diagnostic Radiography/Medical Imaging,
Radiation Therapy and Ultrasound. More than 70% of Diagnostic Radiographers, Radiation Therapists and Sonographers working
in Australia are involved in some aspect of the Institute, if not members then participating in the AIR’s Continuous Professional
Development programme (mandatory for members).
Australian Dental Association (ADA)
The Australian Dental Association is an organisation of dentists which has as its aim the encouragement of the health of the public
and the promotion of the art and science of dentistry. There are Branches of the Association in all States and Territories.
Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ANZAOMS)
ANZAOMS is the professional representative organisation for the specialty in Australia and New Zealand and has approximately 200
members. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are surgical specialists who treat conditions, defects, injuries and aesthetic aspects of the
mouth, teeth, jaws and face.
Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO)
The ASO is the peak specialist body for orthodontists and orthodontic knowledge across Australia. Almost all registered orthodontists in
Australia are members of the ASO.
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