Optimizing Radiation Safety In Diagnostic Imaging: A Collaborative Approach Between Radiology, Nursing, And Medical Physics

Abstract

The exponential growth of diagnostic imaging over the past two decades has revolutionized disease detection but has also heightened concern over patient and staff exposure to ionizing radiation. Computed tomography (CT), interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and hybrid imaging modalities have dramatically increased average per-capita radiation doses worldwide, with children, pregnant women, and healthcare workers at particular risk (Mettler et al., 2009). Regulatory bodies such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have long advocated the “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) principle and established diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) to guide dose optimization (ICRP, 2007; IAEA, 2019). However, global evidence shows that compliance with these principles varies widely between institutions, and that radiation protection measures are inconsistently implemented unless supported by multidisciplinary teams and robust institutional policies (Martin et al., 2015).

This review examines how a collaborative framework between radiology, nursing, and medical physics can transform radiation safety in diagnostic imaging from a set of technical guidelines into a living, team-based culture. Radiologists bring clinical justification and protocol optimization expertise; nurses provide patient preparation, screening, education, and real-time safety monitoring; and medical physicists ensure equipment calibration, dosimetry, and regulatory compliance. Together, these disciplines can develop integrated safety committees, dose-tracking systems, and education modules that reduce unnecessary exposures while preserving diagnostic quality. The review highlights global best practices, regulatory standards, and regional considerations such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 healthcare transformation, which explicitly prioritizes patient safety and modernization of diagnostic services (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, 2018). It argues that only a multidisciplinary model can sustainably address rising imaging volumes, workforce gaps, and public concerns about radiation risks. By analyzing the unique contributions of each discipline and proposing an integrated model tailored to both global and Saudi contexts, this paper provides a roadmap to achieving world-class radiation safety in diagnostic imaging.