Aga Khan University Hospital deploys radiation dose monitoring technology to enhance patient safety

KENYA—Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH, N) has implemented an advanced radiation dose management system designed to reduce patients’ exposure to ionising radiation while maintaining diagnostic image quality.

The technology, DoseMonitor®, connects with the hospital’s imaging equipment to automatically capture data on the amount of radiation used during procedures.

It analyses the data, compares radiation doses with international safety benchmarks and alerts clinical teams when further review or adjustment may be required.

Radiological procedures, including X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, mammograms, fluoroscopy, SPECT-CT, PET-CT, and cardiac catheterisation, are essential for diagnosing and managing a wide range of conditions.

However, because these procedures involve varying levels of ionising radiation, healthcare providers must carefully balance diagnostic requirements with radiation safety.

Dr Khalid Makhdomi, Chair of the Department of Radiology at AKUH,N, said DoseMonitor® incorporates internationally recognised radiation dose reference levels and benchmarks based on global best practices.

According to him, the system provides clinicians with real-time information that supports safer and more informed imaging decisions.

He added that the technology would enable more personalised imaging decisions while helping clinicians manage radiation exposure more effectively.

Supporting paediatric imaging

Dr Bernadette Muthee, a paediatric radiologist at AKUH,N, said DoseMonitor® is particularly valuable in paediatric imaging, where limiting radiation exposure is a key priority.

Meanwhile, AKUH,N CEO Rashid Khalani described the technology’s introduction as an important milestone in the hospital’s efforts to place patient safety at the centre of care.

“Patients should feel empowered to ask how their radiation exposure is being monitored and managed,” Khalani said.

He added that DoseMonitor® provides clinicians with tools to monitor exposure more consistently and effectively.

Mike Battin, COO of PACSHEALTH, LLC, the developer and distributor of DoseMonitor®, said innovative technologies that improve patient care remain central to the company’s work.

He said the company was pleased to add AKUH,N to its global portfolio of DoseMonitor® customers and congratulated the hospital on becoming the first site in the region to undertake dedicated patient radiation dose monitoring.

Kaye Bonython, Managing Director for PACSHealth Ltd UK/EMEA, said the company was pleased to work with AKUH,N to implement its patient monitoring software.

She noted that clinicians were already using the platform to manage radiation doses, save staff time when assessing dose parameters and support imaging for adults, children and expectant mothers.

Advancing local radiation research

Beyond clinical care, the system could generate data to support research into radiation exposure among African populations.

Many international radiation reference levels rely on data from Europe and North America, where patient demographics, body composition, disease patterns and healthcare environments can differ from those in Africa.

Stacy Achoki, Radiation Safety Officer at AKUH, N, said data generated through DoseMonitor could help the hospital contribute to developing locally relevant radiation reference levels for African populations.

She added that such research could inform future policy, strengthen radiation protection practices and support improved patient care standards across the continent.

AKUH, N said the deployment makes it the first hospital in Africa to implement DoseMonitor, reinforcing its focus on advanced imaging technology, patient safety and clinical care.

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