Long-term experience and analysis of data on diagnostic reference levels: the good, the bad, and the ugly

To analyze 11-year data of France for temporal trends in dose indices and dose optimization and draw lessons for those who are willing to work on creation and update of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). The data from about 3000 radiology departments leading to about 750,000 imaging exams between 2004 and 2015 was analyzed, and patterns of reductions in dose for those below and above the DRLs were estimated and correlated with technology...