Trim: D15-24159

24 August 2015

New resources help parents and cliniciansbetter 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 releaseda 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 peoplein 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 andtheir use on children and young people hasbeen linked to a slightincrease 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 areas low as possible.”

Professor Marshall had this message for parents and carers: “If your childneeds a CT scan, or has had one in the past,don’t be alarmed.It’s important to talk to your doctor about thebenefits and potential risks associated with CT scans.”

Brochures for parents and carers outlining the benefits and risks of CT scansare available now at general practices, dentists, medical imaging centresand early childhood health centresacross 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

A fact sheetfor referring doctors hasalso been updatedto 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 nowthrough Healthdirect, which has also partnered with the Commission to develop this valuable resource. See

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

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. Formore information visit

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

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 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 Developmentprogramme (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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[1] Based on 2013–14 financial year Medicare data; does not include patients imaged as public inpatients.

[2]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