X-ray record card (Röntgenpass)

X-ray record card (Röntgenpass)

Since December 30, 2018, radiology departments and other health facilities in Germany performing X-ray procedures are no longer obliged to keep Röntgenpässe (X-ray record cards) in store and offer them to any patient exposed to X-rays.

However, the Röntgenpass is an important tool to avoid unnecessary duplications of X-ray procedures. It also allows reference to previous X-ray images.

The BfS recommends to continue using the Röntgenpass

The BfS recommends that patients present their Röntgenpass to their doctor and have each new X-ray procedure recorded. For that purpose you can continue to use your existing Röntgenpass or download a new form. The BfS recommends that also nuclear medicine examinations are recorded in the Röntgenpass.

The brochure "X-rays diagnostics: benefit and risk" contains some examples of frequent X-ray examinations and interventional X-ray procedures.

Information in the Röntgenpass

The following information should be recorded in the Röntgenpass:

• facility performing the X-ray procedure,
• affected body region,
• type and modality of the procedure (e.g., conventional radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, interventional procedure), and
• date.