Radiation control: health facilities and clinics: records.

Under existing law, the State Department of Public Health licenses and regulates health facilities and clinics, as defined. Under existing law, the Radiation Control Law, the department licenses and regulates persons that use devices or equipment utilizing radioactive materials. Under existing law the department may also require registration and inspection of sources of ionizing radiation, as defined. Violation of these provisions is a crime. This bill would, commencing July 1, 2012, require hospitals and clinics, as specified, that use computed tomography (CT) X-ray systems for human use to record, if the CT systems are capable, the dose of radiation on every CT study produced during the administration of a CT examination, as specified. The bill would require the dose to be verified annually by a medical physicist, as specified, unless the facility is accredited. This bill would, commencing July 1, 2013, require facilities that furnish CT X-ray services to be accredited by an organization that is approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an accrediting agency approved by the Medical Board of California, or the State Department of Public Health. The bill would also require the facility to report certain information to the department, the affected patient, and the patient's treating physician. Because this bill expands the definition of a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.