The Korea Disease Control Agency (KDCA) has announced new diagnostic reference levels for fluoroscopic radiography, a medical imaging technique used to observe organ structure and function. The updated standards are designed to guide healthcare providers in minimizing patient exposure to radiation during common diagnostic procedures. Fluoroscopic radiography is widely used for gastrointestinal and urological disease diagnosis, and the new reference levels reflect advances in medical technology and changes in clinical practices. The KDCA regularly reviews and updates these standards to ensure they remain relevant and effective in protecting patient health.
The revised diagnostic reference levels impact hospitals, clinics, and radiology departments across Korea, especially those performing nine major fluoroscopic radiography procedures. These include esophagography, upper gastrointestinal, small intestine, colon, voiding cystourethrography, hysterosalpingography, and intravenous pyelography, among others. Data was collected from 100 medical institutions, including 39 tertiary hospitals, 48 general hospitals, and 13 clinics, using big data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and expert consensus. The new standards also introduce intravenous pyelography due to increased demand for this procedure.
Implementation of the updated reference levels is scheduled for 2026, replacing the previous 2021 standards. The KDCA has analyzed radiation dose and device settings, noting that most procedures now have higher dose area product (Gy·cm²) and tube current (mA) values, reflecting changes in equipment and imaging quality requirements. Hospitals providing radiation dose data receive comparative reports to help optimize their practices. Guidelines and posters will be distributed to local health centers and relevant medical associations to promote adoption and awareness.
Frequently asked questions include: What are diagnostic reference levels? They are recommended values to help reduce patient radiation exposure during imaging. Why have some dose values increased? The rise is linked to higher tube current settings, which improve image quality but may increase radiation dose. Where can the updated standards be accessed? All reference levels and guidelines are available on the KDCA website for public download. The KDCA encourages healthcare professionals to actively use these standards to enhance radiation safety.
Metaqsol opinion: The Korea Disease Control Agency’s update of diagnostic reference levels for fluoroscopic radiography is a significant step in improving patient safety. By basing the new standards on data from 100 medical institutions and expert consensus, the agency ensures that the guidelines are both practical and relevant. The addition of intravenous pyelography reflects responsiveness to clinical demand. Providing comparative reports and distributing guidelines will help healthcare providers optimize radiation doses, supporting safer medical imaging practices nationwide.