The NEXT Program (Nationwide Evaluation of X-Ray Trends) tabulates and graphs summaries of an annual x-ray machine study. This program is performed in association with the H-4 Committee on the Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends of the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. and the FDA. Data from this program was largely responsible for the establishment of the Mammography Quality Standards Act.
Each year the US FDA will provide the States a protocol for evaluating a certain X-ray projection for the coming year's survey, including a phantom that radiologically represents the anatomical area of interest. The FDA will also provide training to state inspectors. In return the State will provide a list of those types of facilities that FDA includes in the study, and provide staffing to conduct a small number of the surveys during the course of the year. About two years later the data is compiled and published. State Programs may used the data to promote educational programs to further reduce radiation exposures to patients, or adopt regulatory requirements to limit patient exposures.
Information is available to medical and dental facilities in the form of Tri-folds at http://www.crcpd.org/free_docs.asp for the following documents:
25 Years of NEXT [Updated 2/4/03]
NEXT 1996 Upper G.I. Fluoroscopy Data
NEXT 1995 Abdomen and LS Spine X-Ray Data
NEXT 1994 P/A Chest X-Ray Data
NEXT 1993 Dental X-Ray Data
NEXT 1992 Mammography X-Ray Data
Radiological Health Program | James Madison Building, 7th Floor | 109 Governor Street, Room 730 | Richmond, VA 23219 | Telephone (804) 864-8150 | Fax: (804) 864-8155