Harnett Health Leads the Way in Technology that Postively Impacts Quality of Care

by Kelly Twedell

In recent years, reducing radiation dose in diagnostic imaging, such as in CT or X-ray procedures, has been a key focus in healthcare.

Harnett Health was the first provider in the Carolinas region and the first healthcare system in the Southeast to purchase DoseWatch as a proactive measure.  DoseWatch is a radiation dose-tracking and reporting solution that can help analyze radiation dose levels over time and impact quality of care.

Harnett Health is proud to serve our military community and accepts Tricare coverage for medical imaging procedures. DoseWatch technology will be used to track radiation dose during imaging procedures, including procedures on active or retired military personnel.

"We’re proud to have made this investment, which is part of our leadership in patient care and safety as we work to provide quality, compassionate care to citizens of Harnett County and surrounding areas," said Dr. David Allison, Medical Director, Medical Imaging, Harnett Health. "DoseWatch is a technology we have invested in to ensure we are managing and optimizing radiation dose in imaging procedures we perform."

DoseWatch, a software tool, enables the medical provider to generate statistical analyses based on device, operator or protocol. This allows them to change how dose is administered to maximize effective, and safe, diagnostic imaging. 

Their current Medical Imaging Department leaders will be trained on the use of DoseWatch, and Dr. Allison will collaborate and consult with them on a regular basis concerning use of the DoseWatch software in imaging procedures. Also, radiation protection and dose reduction education is part of training for radiologists and radiologic technologists.

There is no preparation or side-effects of the technology for patients; the procedure for patients is not changed, rather, DoseWatch is a software tool to help Medical Imaging Department leaders to better manage doses.

Used for both adult and pediatric patients DoseWatch can be used in medical imaging procedures for a span of ages. Younger patients have more benefit from the dosing technology due to their expected longer life and the possibility of more imaging procedures during their life time when the technology is in place to monitor doses.

DoseWatch is approved by the FDA. Furthermore, technologies such as DoseWatch that help hospitals better manage radiation in imaging aligns with FDA initiatives to reduce radiation exposure in imaging. This technology will also further the ability to follow the ALARA Concept which stands for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" to limit total radiation exposure.