We wonder whether patients ask about radiation received in testing. We wonder too whether physician-radiologists tell patients or even take into account how much they are dosing patients.

Fortunately, the Journal of the A.M.A. just reported on the radiation from repeated medical tests given to patients. They analyzed one particular type called "Myocardial Perfusion Imaging" in 1097 patients "during the first 100 days of 2006 (January 1-April 10) at Columbia University Medical Center, New York City."

We might add that this is one of the better med centers around, so one might imagine that doctors elsewhere might be less careful than they are about Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

"Conclusion: In this institution, multiple testing with [Myocardial Perfusion Imaging] was common and in many patients associated with high cumulative doses of radiation."

Editor's note: Before I was going to be admitted for hernia surgery at another institution, I asked my uncle, a doctor, whether that hospital was a good one. He replied, "Bill, whenever you leave a hospital alive, thank your lucky stars."

"JAMA Reports High Radiation Doses in Patients" Source

From: Journal of The American Med. Assn., 2010, vol. 304. By: Drs. Einstein, Weiner, Balter, et al., Dept. of Med., Cardiology Div., and Dept. of Radiology, Columbia U. Med. Center and New York-Presbyterian Hosp., and Dept. of Radiology, Staten Island U. Hosp., New York, NY