[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1216 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1216

Supporting the efforts to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure through 
    computed tomography scans for children, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 20, 2008

  Mrs. Myrick (for herself, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Israel, and Ms. Pryce of 
  Ohio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the efforts to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure through 
    computed tomography scans for children, and for other purposes.

Whereas medical imaging provides valuable and often life-saving medical 
        information for patients and their families;
Whereas there is often a need to tailor techniques used in pediatric imaging to 
        children's smaller bodies to avoid radiation exposures that are greater 
        than necessary;
Whereas this is especially true regarding computed tomography (CT) scans;
Whereas nationwide there are approximately 7,000,000 CT scans performed on 
        children each year, the number may be increasing at approximately 10 
        percent per year, and about half of these examinations involve children 
        under 10 years of age;
Whereas CT is the largest contributor to medical radiation dosing in the United 
        States;
Whereas radiation can have recognized harmful effects;
Whereas children's body tissues are more radiosensitive, and children absorb a 
        larger dose for a given level of radiation than adults;
Whereas there are many techniques that can be used to dramatically lessen the 
        amount of radiation to which children are exposed during CT scans, while 
        still enabling diagnostic quality images; and
Whereas parents can help determine whether or not their imaging provider adjusts 
        dose techniques for children by asking if their imaging facility is 
        accredited and technologists are credentialed: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) encourages radiologists, radiologic technologists, 
        medical physicists, pediatricians, other pediatric health care 
        providers, and parents to consider the different needs of 
        children when it comes to radiation dosing;
            (2) encourages appropriate used of computed tomography 
        scans in children; and
            (3) encourages radiation protection efforts in pediatric 
        imaging so that children may be properly diagnosed and 
        efficiently treated for injury and disease.
                                 <all>