Managers of a new Health Canada project hope a move online will improve turnaround times for the country's dosimetry services. National Dosimetry Services (NDS), operated by Health Canada's Radiation Protection Bureau (RPB), measures Canadians' occupational exposure to ionizing radiation using various dosimeters. For the past 50 years, NDS has sent exposure reports to clients and to the National Dose Registry. The new online system is expected to speed their delivery and provide feedback from clients.
Dr. Dietlind Gardell, who was formerly with the RPB and is now associate executive director of the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, says online reporting to physicians, dentists and other professionals exposed to radiation will improve the management of radiation risks. “It also assures instant information about any radiation sources that exceed permissible levels and that questions about workplace health can be answered more efficiently.”
Previously, reporting of occupational radiation exposure was usually done by telephone, fax or regular mail, and Gardell says this slowed service delivery. The new project has been labelled a “pathfinder” by Treasury Board because it has been chosen to help Health Canada map out how it can use interactive electronic communication securely. Additional information is available from Gardell ([email protected]) or on the Web (www.gol-ged.gc.ca).