European Commission publishes recommendations on clinical audits in medical radiological practices

On April 18, 2024, the European Commission adopted Recommendation (EU) 2024/1112, focused on clinical audits of medical radiological practices, under Directive 2013/59/Euratom. This measure aims to strengthen patient safety and improve the quality of healthcare through systematic audits of procedures such as radiodiagnosis, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy.

The document recommends that Member States establish specific national infrastructures, integrate these audits into existing quality systems, and promote adequate training for healthcare professionals. It also emphasizes the importance of a non-punitive culture that supports continuous improvement in the medical use of ionising radiation.

The Recommendation sets out clear responsibilities for national authorities, including the development of manuals, data collection, reporting of results, and the involvement of patients in the audit processes. It also suggests that these audits should be part of the accreditation criteria for hospitals and medical centers.

The full text of the Recommendation is available in the Official Journal of the European Union and can be consulted and downloaded in multiple languages via the following link:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401112

More information about this publication can be found on the European Commission website:
https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-recommendation-clinical-audits-medical-radiological-practices-2024-04-18_en