Australian radiographer's current practice and knowledge of inappropriate patient centring on CT numbers and dose

Introduction: Inaccuracies in patient positioning are known to impact CT number and patient dose and may lead to misdiagnosis or inaccurate treatment delivery. This study aimed to report the accuracy of the knowledge of radiographers and current practices in Australia regarding patient centring during CT.
Methods: Members of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) were invited to participate in an online survey consisting of 30 questions about patient off-centring, CT number accuracy, and radiation dose. Responses were evaluated as correct or incorrect based on evidence-based knowledge and theoretical definitions. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: There were 168 participants. The accuracy of participant responses was identified to be dependent on CT qualifications (p = 0.0199), experience (p = 0.0397), and workload (p = 0.0360). Manufacturer-recommended guidelines for localiser radiograph direction were followed by 75.7%.; despite higher radiation dose to anteriorly located radiosensitive organs, 63.64% preferred the anterior-posterior (AP) localiser. Only 21.93% agreed that localiser direction would definitely affect radiation dose if the patient was inappropriately centred. A knowledge-practice disparity was evidenced, 92.8% acknowledged the significance of CT numbers post-image acquisition on prognosis and clinical decisions; however, 45.77% rarely or never reviewed them.
Conclusion: Inconsistent CT practices and knowledge gaps among Australian radiographers were identified. Increased radiographer engagement with continuous professional development programs (CPD) that focus on the importance of patient positioning and the utilisation of the latest advancements in dose management tools is needed.