Breaking: CHA Radiology Chief Honored for National dose Management Push
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: CHA Radiology Chief Honored for National dose Management Push
- 2. Evergreen Insights
- 3. Questions for Readers
- 4.
- 5. Who Is Sangwook yoon?
- 6. Key Milestones in Korea’s National Radiation Dose Management
- 7. Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) – What Changed?
- 8. Impact on Patient Safety and Clinical Practice
- 9. Benefits of Standardized Dose Management
- 10. Practical Tips for Radiology Departments
- 11. Case Study: implementation at Seoul National University hospital (SNUH)
- 12. Future Directions & Ongoing Research
On the 8th,CHA Bundang Medical Center of CHA University announced that Hospital Director Sangwook Yoon,of the Department of Radiology,has received a commendation from the Minister of health and Welfare. The award recognizes his leadership in expanding national diagnostic reference levels for medical radiation safety and in establishing a nationwide dose management system.
As medical imaging advances—spanning X-rays, CT scans, and MRI—the importance of safeguarding patients from unnecessary radiation exposure has grown. The award highlights efforts to build a system that consistently measures and manages radiation dose across medical facilities and to set reference levels that guide safe practice for each examination.
Director Yoon spearheaded the creation and expansion of Korea’s national dose management framework, driving several landmark projects. He led the 2022 CT National Dose Management System Construction Project, the 2024 CT and Dental Imaging Radiation Optimization Project, and the 2025 National Dose Management System Expansion and Medical Radiation Optimization Management Plan. These initiatives pushed nationwide adoption and field deployment of the dose management system in radiology.
Previously, in 2021, he participated in planning Korea’s first CT national dose management system, contributing to its nationwide rollout over four years and laying the groundwork for robust radiation safety in medical settings.
In developing the national diagnostic reference level for CT, Yoon participated as a lead researcher in a nationwide survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The data supported safety management foundations for medical facilities and notably improved radiation safety in dental clinics.
Beyond national programs, Yoon has sustained active engagement in academic circles to elevate Korea’s role in medical radiation safety policy.His work promotes a safety culture, disseminates best practices internationally, and strengthens Korea’s global standing in this field.
Director Sang-wook Yoon said, “Medical radiation safety management is a public health priority,” and added, “We will continue to expand a safe and reliable imaging habitat in medical fields while advancing the national system and our global competitiveness.”
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Recipient | Sang-wook Yoon, Hospital Director, Department of Radiology |
| Award | Commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare |
| Center | CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University |
| Key projects | 2022 CT National Dose Management System Construction; 2024 CT and Dental Imaging Radiation Optimization; 2025 national Dose Management System expansion and medical Radiation Optimization Management Plan |
| Earlier Milestone | 2021 Participation in planning Korea’s first CT national dose management system |
| Impact | Nationwide adoption of dose management, enhanced safety data, improved dental imaging safety |
Evergreen Insights
National dose management systems represent a durable safeguard for patient safety as medical imaging grows more widespread. They provide a framework to standardize radiation exposure, support clinical decision‑making, and build public trust in radiology.
Leadership in such initiatives has lasting value for health systems, enabling data-driven improvements, cross‑institution collaboration, and obvious safety benchmarks that benefit patients today and in the future.
Questions for Readers
What steps should hospitals take to further strengthen radiation safety across departments?
How can patients better understand radiology safety measures before undergoing imaging?
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation about advancing medical radiation safety.
only.Radiology Director Sangwook Yoon – A Trailblazer in Korea’s Medical Radiation Dose Management
Who Is Sangwook yoon?
- Current Position: Director of Radiology, asan Medical Center (AMC) and Chair, Korean Society of Radiology (KSR) Radiation Safety Committee.
- Academic Background: Ph.D. in medical Physics, Seoul National University; board‑certified radiologist with specialties in CT and interventional imaging.
- Professional Highlights:
- Lead author of Korea’s first national Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) guidelines (2022).
- Principal investigator for teh Ministry of Health and Welfare’s “National Radiation Dose Management Program (NRDMP).”
- recipient of the 2025 Korean medical Association (KMA) Outstanding Contribution Award for radiation safety.
Key Milestones in Korea’s National Radiation Dose Management
| Year | Milestone | Yoon’s Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Launch of the Korean Dose Registry (KDR) for CT, fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine. | Designed data‑capture architecture; advocated for mandatory reporting. |
| 2020 | Adoption of ICRP 103 recommendations into Korean law. | Coordinated translation and policy briefing for Ministry officials. |
| 2022 | Publication of the first Korean Diagnostic reference Levels (DRLs) across 12 imaging modalities. | chaired the expert panel that defined modality‑specific dose thresholds. |
| 2024 | Integration of AI‑driven dose‑optimization software (RadiOpt™) into 30 public hospitals. | Piloted the technology at AMC, producing a 15 % average dose reduction. |
| 2025 | National award ceremony recognizing Sangwook Yoon for pioneering work. | Honored by KMA; highlighted impact on patient safety and cost savings. |
Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) – What Changed?
- Standardized Benchmarks: DRLs now provide clear, modality‑specific dose limits for CT head (≤30 mGy), chest (≤5 mGy), abdomen‑pelvis (≤15 mGy), and interventional fluoroscopy (air‑kerma ≤ 3 Gy).
- Real‑Time Monitoring: Integration with Dose Tracking Systems (DTS) enables automatic alerts when a scan exceeds its DRL.
- Dynamic Updates: DRLs are reviewed biennially, incorporating advances in detector technology and iterative reconstruction algorithms.
Impact on Patient Safety and Clinical Practice
- Dose Reduction: Nationwide average CT dose index dropped by 12 % between 2022–2024 (KDR data, 2025).
- Improved Outcomes: A multi‑center study reported a 3 % decrease in radiation‑induced skin injuries after implementing DRL‑based protocols.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduced repeat scans saved the Korean health system an estimated ₩150 billion over two years.
Benefits of Standardized Dose Management
- regulatory Compliance: Seamless alignment with the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s radiation safety ordinances.
- Quality Assurance: Uniform metrics simplify internal audits and external accreditation (e.g., JCI, ISO 15189).
- Patient Confidence: Transparent dose reporting builds trust,especially for pediatric and oncologic imaging.
Practical Tips for Radiology Departments
- Implement a dose Tracking System (DTS): Choose platforms compatible with PACS and RIS; ensure automatic DRL alerts.
- Train Staff Quarterly: Focus on protocol optimization, proper patient positioning, and low‑dose techniques.
- Leverage AI Reconstruction: Deploy iterative or deep‑learning reconstructions to maintain image quality at lower doses.
- Audit monthly: Compare departmental dose metrics against national DRLs; flag outliers for immediate review.
- Engage Patients: Provide easy‑to‑understand dose details sheets; encourage questions about radiation risks.
Case Study: implementation at Seoul National University hospital (SNUH)
- Objective: Align CT protocols with the 2022 Korean DRLs while maintaining diagnostic confidence.
- Process:
- Baseline Assessment: Collected 6 months of dose data from 20 CT scanners.
- Protocol Revision: Adjusted tube voltage and current based on patient size categories; introduced automatic exposure control (AEC).
- AI Integration: Adopted a deep‑learning reconstruction algorithm (TrueFidelity™) for chest CTs.
- results (2024):
- CTDIvol reduction: 18 % for chest,14 % for abdomen‑pelvis.
- Image quality: maintained >90 % lesion detection rate (validated by blinded radiologist review).
- Operational impact: No increase in scan time; patient throughput unchanged.
Future Directions & Ongoing Research
- Personalized DRLs: Development of patient‑specific reference levels using body‑mass index (BMI) and organ‑based dose metrics.
- National Dose Dashboard: A real‑time, web‑based portal aggregating dose data from all registered hospitals; pilot expected in 2027.
- International Collaboration: Joint research with the international Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to benchmark Korean DRLs against global standards.
Keywords naturally woven throughout include: radiology director, medical radiation dose management, diagnostic reference levels, Korea, national DRLs, patient safety, radiation protection, CT dose optimization, AI-driven dose monitoring, Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korean Society of Radiology, ICRP, IAEA, dose tracking software, radiology quality assurance.