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Computed Tomography Continuing Education

Are you looking to begin a career in Computed Tomography (CT). I am excited to tell you about the series called "CT Basics" encompassing all the topics found in the ASRT's CT curriculum. All ten modules have been completed. Visit the Learning Center and select Computed Tomography in the Course Catalog.

CT Basics: Module 1 – Fundamentals

CT Basics: Module 2 – Equipment and Instrumentation

CT Basics: Module 3 – Data Acquisition

CT Basics: Module 4 – Image Processing and Reconstruction

CT Basics: Module 5 – Patient Safety

CT Basics: Module 6 – Image Quality

CT Basics: Module 7 – Procedures

CT Basics: Module 8 – Cross-sectional Anatomy of the Head and Neck

CT Basics: Module 9 - Cross-sectional Anatomy of the Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis

CT Basics: Module 10 - Additional Applications If you are a first-time user of the Learning Center, you will need to click on...

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The Luckiest Coin Flip

"Time flies when you're having fun!" As I reflect on my career, I see that that phrase means so much to me. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting at my Army recruiter's desk choosing radiologic technology as a profession. Years later, I am thoroughly enjoying the professional development and life-saving opportunities afforded to me in radiology at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The decision I made upon entering the Army was, to be honest, a coin toss. I was too young to fully understand the implications of that decision. But, man, was it a lucky coin toss. I am so fortunate that when I flipped that coin, radiologic technology landed on top. Since then, I've enjoyed far more highs than lows. •I started as a staff technologist in Jacksonville, Fla. In this role, I mainly worked in the surgery department. I remember running from room to room with a...

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Employee Morale

How many of you can not wait for Monday morning to go to work. You wake up jumping up and down and out of bed because your workplace brings you so much joy. Is this you on Monday mornings? People complain to me daily about their work environment deficiencies and focus less on their individual deficiencies. Such deficiencies contribute to low morale in their workplace and personal life. Passive vessels wait for external forces to increase their morale. This week I would like to ask you what changes in you and your workplace need to take place so you to could be jumping out of bed every morning to get to work? Please share your thoughts and feedback so others around the world can learn from you.

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The Attribute of Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. To me, it is more important than facts, more important than the past, than money, than circumstances, than failures. It is more important than what people say, do or think. Attitude can and will make or break a home, church or company. The best thing about attitude is that you and I have a choice. We cannot change the past. We cannot change the ways others act. However, we can control our attitude and how we react. Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it. Attitude is very important when dealing with internal and external customers. As radiology techs, we must do our best when caring for patients. A tech with good attitude will produce a satisfied customer. Attitude determines altitude. How high will you fly? Will you...

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Customer Service Makeover

Are you, unclear on your job expectations, working in a chaotic or high-pressure environment, and experiencing lack of recognition or rewards for good work? Has your day to day responsibilities, hindered you or a colleague from providing exceptional customers service? Is providing exceptional service to your customers no longer a priority? I've been writing a lot about this topic lately and thinking about it more. I have noticed that many employees and leaders have shut down on their customer friendly side, and not truly understanding that they play a powerful role to the return of a customer. Good customer service is the lifeblood of any organization. If customers enter your organizations' doors and choose not to return it will impact your bottom line. Organizations, leaders and employees tend to think they do not need to change. They feel that their customers need to change their expectations and perceptions. What do...

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Physician/Technologist Interaction

When I worked in nuclear medicine, I was privileged to work with many wonderful and supportive physicians. Because they respected what I did, I was motivated to excel at my job and search for ways to improve my techniques, providing the physicians with as much information as possible, to help them with their diagnostic interpretation. Although I have never met a physician as arrogant and dismissive as the one portrayed in the TV program "House", I have had the occasion to observe some physicians who treat their technologists or nurses like underlings, placing little value on their expertise. Although the physician as dictator makes for good television, in real life it is more likely to negatively impact patient care. I feel that patients are best served when everyone in the medical establishment collaborates on their care. I remember several occasions when the eventual diagnosis of the patient was helped by...

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Neonates in MRI

Are you monitoring temperatures for neonates having MRI scans? Neonates are especially vulnerable to heat loss and special care should be taken to monitor temperatures for these patients. At Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, we are currently working on a protocol to monitor and intervene when necessary as well as take additional steps to keep infants warm during a scan. Current recommendations include pre-scan temperatures, turning off the fan inside the scanner, warm packs, warm blankets and frequent temperature monitoring. The length of the scan is a factor and longer scans need careful monitoring and interventions. Neonates under general anesthesia or sedation are also at higher risk for hypothermia. Paying extra attention to these details will help patients maintain temperature during MRI scans. Nancy Dennehy, Assistant Manager Nursing Radiology-Sedation, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite

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Ultrasound: Searching for the “Right” System

Within the past two years, the Ultrasound Department at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston has utilized eight ultrasound machines to replace systems at the end of production life. The first two systems purchased were a modification of current systems. Unfortunately, it did not take long before errors became present in the boot-up process. As the company tried to fix the systems, we relied on two loaner systems before it was determined that the systems required replacement. We were offered two systems from a newer generation, ones the company believed would be the standard and platform for all of their future ultrasound machines. Those systems proved complicated and not user friendly, often adding 15 to 20 minutes to an ultrasound procedure. This turned out to be the final event that would end a 20+ year relationship. Today, we have a new vendor and two new systems, which have yielded technology...

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Nuclear Medicine Isotope Shortage: When Will It End?

Nuclear Medicine has been experiencing Tc99m shortages for a couple of years now, but it has never been as bad as it is now. The root of the issue is a shortage of molybdenum, a byproduct of nuclear fission. Molybdenum is then placed in containers called "generators" which, over a two week period, deliver a supply of Technetium-99m. Tc99m is used in more than 16 million nuclear imaging procedures per year nationwide. Due to the shortage, clinicians have adopted a range of strategies over the past few months, trying to use the available isotopes frugally by utilizing other modalities. Below is a brief history on what caused this shortage: 1. Canada's National Research Universal facility (NRU): Repair started May 2009 and is projected to last at least until August 2010. NRU produced 40% of the world's supply before the reactor went down. 2. Holland's Petten Reactor: Shut down for 6...

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Clinical Strategies – Pain Series

Do you live your life in pain or know someone who does? Pain is a common symptom and pain at its core is suffering and its persistence can be vexing to those who help the sick and often at a burdensome cost to society. Pain is a warning system and feedback mechanism that influences how we adapt to our environment. The causes of pain are innumerable and exist within the full spectrum of human diseases. The diagnosis of pain is often problematic due to its connection to both benign and life-threatening conditions. The Learning Center is offering a "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" special with the purchase of one of the tutorials in the 'Clinical Strategies – Pain Series" by Ashley Davidoff, M.D. Log into the Learning Center and click on 'My Account – My Discount Code' and enter 39169181. This offer is valid until June 30, 2010.

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On the Road at The Leading Edge Ultrasound Conference

There's just something energizing about attending a conference and having an opportunity to network with clinicians and chat with the readers of rt image. Last week's Leading Edge in Diagnostic Ultrasound 2010 gave the rt image staff a perfect opportunity to hit the road for a day and head down to Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. It was well worth the couple hour drive from our suburban Philadelphia headquarters to absorb the educational sessions and spend time in our exhibit hall booth meeting and greeting the approximately 1,200 attendees. With the casino serving as a backdrop, you had to pass by the glitz, bells, whistles, blinking lights and sensory overload from the slot machines and gaming tables on the way to the escalator that led to the conference. The headlines pretty much write themselves: "Leading Edge hits the Jackpot," "Full House at Annual Conference," "Ultrasound is on a...

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Mock Scanner Helps Lower Sedation Rates in Pediatric Patients

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta recently received a new addition to its Radiology department. Through the generosity of donors, Children's now has a "mock" scanner to assist staff in preparing children for MR procedures by affording a "dry" run of the exam without compromising staff member's schedules or tying up a scanner with a child who may not need sedation when given the opportunity to try without sedation first. The "mock", as we call it at Children's, looks just like a standard closed bore MR unit. It has a moving table, faux cage-style head coil, and even makes sounds similar to that of the real thing. The new "toy" has already yielded great success, and we are hopeful that the sedation rate for patients aged 5 to 10 will continue to decline! Scott Weisel RT(R)(CT)(MR) MRI Team leader Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite

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So What Exactly Do Those Nuclear Medicine Folks Do?

When you think of Radiology, most people think of X-rays, CTs and maybe even MRI or Ultrasound. Those of us who work in this field know something about Nuclear Medicine, but the average person may not even know it exists, and that we are actually a part of Radiology. I've heard things like, "Hmm, nuclear medicine, what exactly is that? I've never heard of that, is that like an X-ray?" I did an in-service for Radiology nurses that I have worked with for the last 8.5 years, and to my surprise, they were glued to my presentation as if it was a new and emerging modality! I thought they would be bored to pieces hearing information about a modality they work around every day. I learned that even though we had been working together for a long time, and that they had some knowledge about my department, there was still...

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May is National Stroke Awareness Month

National Stroke Awareness month is a time to educate everyone about stroke and managing risk factors. It is important for healthcare professionals to recognize stroke symptoms and be able to respond. For National Stroke Awareness Month, the Philips Learning Center is offering the tutorial "Stroke: Treatments, Clinical Trials, and Imaging Technologies", worth 1.5 CE, free-of-charge for the month of May. The 100% discount will be applied at checkout. This offer is valid from May 1 – 31, 2010. Log onto the Learning Center and click on "My Account - 'My Discount Code' and enter 19615178.

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RFAs Not Just for Adults

As I sat here reading the blog posts on this site, I noticed an article on the left side of the page titled "Radiofrequency Ablation Safe and Effective for Reducing Pain From Bone Metastases Working in Interventional Radiology." This spurred my interest of the article since this is a procedure that we perform at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. While reading the article I stopped to think about how beneficial this procedure is. The article mentions a study that was performed and the outcome of the procedures on the patients observed. It does not specify the ages of the patients, but in the pediatric hospital setting RFAs have been a blessing for children and their families. In regards to pediatrics, an RFA is a minimally invasive procedure, with quick results, and a quick recovery time. RFAs allow children to have the lesion that is causing them pain treated and allow them...

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