Purpose: Joint Commission requires that all CT protocols are reviewed by a site’s CT protocol optimization team. All protocols contain several series, each with multiple parameters (including kVp, mAs, pitch, resolution, etc), which require documentation and tracking, both being time consuming and labor intensive. We aimed to export protocol files from our scanners, and export scan parameters to a readily accessible and tracked wiki page.
Methods: CT vendors export protocols in different formats, including .PROTO format for GE scanners, and .xml format for Siemens scanners. We developed Matlab programs to extract scan parameters directly from these protocol files, which are arranged in structured tables and written in a wiki format that can be displayed on web pages. Whenever scan parameters are changed on the scanners, a technologist exports the protocols to update the wiki. All history of protocol changes is also saved on the wiki.
Results: The wiki-based CT protocol reviewing system allows immediate access to CT scan protocol parameters without requiring physical presence at the scanners. All essential scan parameters are summarized in one table rather than under multiple tags on vendor specific interfaces. This allows much quicker protocol comparison if discrepancies are noted during our CT radiation dose review process. The wiki site also serves as a reference for physicists and technologists to build similar protocols on new scanners, which can be laborious if from different vendors.
Conclusion: Extracting CT scan parameters automatically from the scanners and exporting them in a wiki allows easily accessible protocol documentation and monitoring.