RAD 118 CH.1 Preliminary Steps in Radiography

positioning

Radiographer

-interacts with patients

-administers ionizing radiation to produce diagnostic images

-evaluates images for

1.technical quality

2.accuracy

3.appropriatenes

-follows ALARA

ALARA

As Low As Reasonably Achievable

Radiologic Technology

-technical science

-use of x-rays or radioactive substances in medicine

-diagnostic or therapeutic uses

Radiographers

use x-rays to create images of the body known as radiographs.

Registered radiographers

must complete an accredited radiography program to become certified by ARRT

ARRT American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

-created standard of ethics, code of ethics, & rules of ethics for radiographers

-recognizes: rad tech, nuclear med, & rad therapy

Radiography practice standards

-define the practice of radiography

-describe necesary education

-Address scope of practice (what we are allowed to do)

-Set forth standards of performance, quality, and professionalism

ASRT American Society of Radiologic Technologists

wrote and maintains the Practice Standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy

ARRT standard of ethics

dual-part document that defines the professional values and mandatory rules of professional conduct for radiologic technologists

ARRT Code of Ethics

Guide to professional behavior

ARRT Rules of Ethics

-Minimally acceptable professional conduct

-Rules are enforceable

Image Receptor (IR)

-Receives the energy of the x-ray beam after it exits the patient

-Forms the image of the body part

lengthwise

portrait

crosswise

transverse

1. Improves efficiency

2. Keeps patients safe

3. Reduces mistakes

4. Minimizes radiation exposure

why do radiographers follow common procedure steps?

Central Ray (CR) or principal beam

-Always centered on the anatomy of interest

-Main goal is to place this perpendicular to the structure of interest

SID Source-to-Image receptor-Distance

-Distance between source of x-ray production and the IR

Standard SID used

-40” - table work

-72” - some upright work

SSD-Source-to-Skin Distance

-Distance between tube and patient skin surface

-Shorter distance results in higher patient skin dose

SSD limits

Mobile: 12” or 30 cm

Fixed- 15” or 38 cm

Collimation

-Restriction of the radiation field

too much collimation

too small/ cut off anatomy

not enough collimation

too large

lead anatomic markers

-Every radiograph must have a set

-Clearly identifies patient’s right or left side

-Medicolegal requirement

-Always placed according to the patient’s anatomy

ID of radiographs

-Date of exam

-Patient name/MRN

-Right/left anatomic marker

-Institution identity