What effect does collimation have on patient radiation exposure?

Collimation is the process of narrowing the beam of radiation, which significantly impacts patient radiation exposure. By reducing the exposure area, collimation effectively minimizes the radiation that reaches the patient, focusing only on the area of interest. This targeted approach not only decreases unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding tissues but also enhances image quality by reducing scatter radiation.

When collimation is applied, the radiation dose can be optimized, leading to improved safety for the patient during diagnostic procedures. It is a critical practice in radiation protection, as it helps to ensure that patients receive the minimum amount of radiation necessary to achieve diagnostic objectives. This practice aligns with the principle of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), which aims to reduce radiation exposure while obtaining necessary medical images.