Pre Procedural Check and Medical Imaging Framework Notes

Pre Procedural Check Overview

• Focus of today's class: Preparing for assessment task number three, the pre procedural check.
• The session includes:
  • Finishing up last week's lecture on medical terminology in medical radiation sciences.
  • Covering the framework for the assessment task.
  • Accessing imaging referrals at the end of the class.

Communication in Clinical Settings

• Importance of effective communication with multiple stakeholders in a healthcare environment:
  • Communicating with patients, doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and engineers.
  • Understanding different patient types: various ages, demographics, and mental capacities.
  • Adjust communication styles based on context (e.g. intubated patients vs. conscious patients).

Medical Terminology

• Understanding root words, prefixes, and suffixes to decipher medical terms:
  • Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the heart by using a graft to bypass blocked arteries.
  • Laparotomy vs. Laparoscopy: open invasive vs. minimally invasive surgical techniques for examining the abdominal cavity.
  • Tonsillectomy: removal of tonsils; patients may return after surgery due to post-operative complications (e.g. bleeding).

Imaging Procedures and Considerations

• Procedures relevant to medical imaging:
  • Chemotherapy: targets cancer cells with toxic drugs.
  • Dialysis: a procedure to assist short-term kidney function, crucial for managing patients receiving contrast media.
  • Intubation and Endotracheal tube (ETT): used for patients needing mechanical ventilation.

Patient Communication and Safety

• Effective communication involves acknowledging any delays and managing anxiety in patients.
• Key to providing care: understanding the context and specific needs of each patient, such as their medical history, procedures, and transfers.

Clinical Handover and Patient Safety

• Clinical handover is crucial for ensuring continuity of care. ISBAR framework (Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is used for effective communication during handovers.
• Emphasis on accurate identification of patients using the four identifiers: name, date of birth, address, and medical record number.

Assessment Task Number Three: Breakdown

• Task focuses on deconstructing a medical imaging referral:
  1. Patient Verification: Confirm identification details are correct.
  2. Legitimacy and Authenticity: Ensure the referral is from a legitimate healthcare provider and dated appropriately.
  3. Clinical History and Procedure Appropriateness: Link clinical history with the proposed procedure to ensure suitability.
  4. Additional Information: Include any other factors that could affect patient care, such as translating services or allergies.

Summary of Steps in the Framework

1. Patient Verification: Confirm identification against referral.
2. Legitimacy and Authenticity: Check the details of the referring clinician and referral date.
3. Clinical History: Analyze the reasons for the imaging request and ensure appropriate examination request.
4. Scenario Considerations: Include additional patient information relevant for care management.

Final Remarks

• Importance of understanding medical terminology and patient care protocols.
• Need for accurate and effective communication among healthcare professionals and patients.
• Encouragement to apply the learned framework to actual patient referrals for the assessment task.