Abstract
Within the United Nations system, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has a mandate to support the use of nuclear applications towards peace, health and prosperity, and its Division of Human Health has a specific mission to enhance Member States’ capabilities to address needs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health problems. This mandate arises from Article II of the IAEA’s Statute. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major contributor to premature morbidity and mortality worldwide, and improving human health through early and effective diagnostic imaging is an effective means to positively influence population health. The importance of CVDs and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been recognized by the United Nations (UN) organizations. Tackling that burden is part of the actions plan set to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among those goals, Goal 3 reads “Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages” and has targets, among aiming at reducing premature NCD mortality by 30%, by 2030. Therefore, the promotion of medical imaging techniques for detection and guided treatment of CVD is a core mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA has also a long history of aiding its Member States in the field of nuclear medicine, through initiatives based on current trends in the technology and clinical applications, aimed at improving the clinical practice of the specialty. An important initiative has been the implementation of an effective quality system that integrates all aspects of quality management into modern nuclear medicine services in Member States. For that purpose, a quality management audit methodology for nuclear medicine, known as Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine Practices (QUANUM) programme has been developed and implemented. Numerous IAEA publications, to support the increasing use of standardized clinical protocols and evidence-based medicine, are adopted by nuclear medicine services globally in order to have a positive impact on the provision of nuclear medicine services.
This chapter will address the work of the IAEA in promoting quality in nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine management in general.
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Dondi, M., Paez, D., Sureshkumar, S. (2021). Programmes of the International Atomic Energy Agency for Nuclear Cardiology and Quality Management. In: Mesquita, C.T., Rezende, M.F. (eds) Nuclear Cardiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62195-7_33
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