• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.495-502
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• 2021

This study aims to provide basic data for elderly health insurance policy and medical radiation safety management by analyzing the general radiography usage and exposure dose of the elderly in Korea. The effective dose for each general radiography was calculated using the ALARA-GR program for 260 general radiography codes selected from 'National Health Insurance Care Benefit Cost'. The usage of general radiography was analyzed in the 2016 elderly patient data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, and the effective dose for each general radiography was applied. The general radiography usage and exposure dose per person aged 65 years and over was 6.47 cases and 0.56 mSv. Females showed higher value than males as 7.15 cases and 0.66 mSv(p<.001). By age, those between 75 and 79 showed the highest number as 6.97 cases and 0.62 mSv(p<.001). Those who were supported by Medical Aid showed higher value than those who were insured by National Health Insurance as 8.82 cases and 0.76 mSv(p<.001). In addition, the ratio by radiography was in the order of Chest 20.85%, Knee Joint 15.58%, and L-spine 14.67%, and the exposure dose was L-spine 29.40%, Chest 15.82%, Abdomen 7.97%, and Entire Spine 7.20%. General radiography, which is widely used due to the high frequency of diseases in the elderly population should be taken into consideration when establishing health insurance policies. In addition, it is necessary to check whether the general radiography with high exposure dose is performed as a routine examination without considering medical necessity.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2024

In this study, we analyzed the use of general radiography imaging and effective dose in inpatients. Our aim is to help reduce national medical radiation exposure doses and develop rational health-care financial policies. The effective dose for each general radiography was calculated using the ALARA-GR program for 53 types (total: 260 codes) general radiography codes selected from 'National Health Insurance Care Benefit Cost'. The usage of general radiography was analyzed in the 2018 inpatient patient data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, and the effective dose for each general radiography was analyzed. 89.00% of inpatients undergo general radiography imaging at least once, with an average of 12.63 scans per person and an effective dose of 1.00 mSv. Those who received support from Medical Aid showed a higher value compared to those who were insured by National Health Insurance, with 17.39 cases and 1.43 mSv (p<.001). Chest had the highest usage rate at 23.12% for general radiography imaging, while L-spine had the highest effective dose at 24.53%. It is estimated that 420 inpatients patients undergo 121 to 820 general radiography imaging procedures per year, and 233 inpatients are estimated to have an annual effective dose of >20.00~58.25 mSv. Rational use of health-care finances and the practice of medical radiation safety management are essential for the well-being of individuals, the enhancement of quality of life, and the improvement of health-care quality.