The Nationwide Evaluation of X-Ray Trends (NEXT) is a national program that surveys x-ray facilities to measure the x-ray exposure that a standard patient receives for selected x-ray examinations annually. The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD), an association of state and local radiation control agencies, and the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) conduct this survey jointly.

Personnel from participating states perform the surveys at random. Each projection is surveyed using a clinically validated exposure equivalent phantom representing a standard reference patient. This standard NEXT patient stands 172 cm (5 ft, 8 in) in height, and weighs 74.5 kg (164 lbs.).

NEXT has been tracking exposure data for 25 years. What is on the horizon for these studies? Click here to view the Pamphlet entitled "Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends; 25 Years of NEXT". The information contained in the NEXT surveys is for guidance. The implementation and use of the information and the recommendations are at the discretion of the user.

In New Jersey, the certified Medical Physicist must compare a facility's entrance skin exposure (ESE) for chest and LS spine examinations obtained during the Annual Medical Physicist's Radiographic QC Survey with the appropriate NEXT data.

If the facility's ESE is at the upper end, lower end or outside the NEXT data range, the technique factors should be examined in order to determine if changes can be made in the techniques (i.e. higher MA) that will bring the ESE into the central portion of the graph. It is hoped that facilities at the upper end will consider changing to a technique that results in less radiation exposure to the patient without compromising image quality.

1994 PA Chest NEXT Data

This standard NEXT patient stands 172 cm (5 ft, 8 in) in height, and weighs 74.5 kg (164 lbs.). The phantom used for chest is equivalent to a patient thickness, measured P/A, of 23 cm (9 in). Over 300 facilities were surveyed.

1995 Abdomen and LS Spine NEXT Data

This standard NEXT patient stands 172 cm (5 ft, 8 in) in height, and weighs 74.5 kg (164 lbs.). The phantom used for abdomen and LS spine surveys is equivalent to a patient thickness, measured P/A, of 23 cm (9 in). Over 300 facilities were surveyed.