time to vent frustrations

matt_giftfromgod · Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 7

This being my first time joining any kind of radiology forum, this is great to see the amount of proffessionalism that still exists out there when i see so many techs that dont seem to give a s_ _ _. My initial reaction to papa's post was that he was a little... "overzealous" and even "old fashioned" so to speak. I can imagine hearing that story and ASSUMING that the child was extremely difficult and hard to hold and cooperate (and that a pigg-o-stat was not used) and getting anything was better than nothing, thus the benefit greater than the risk. The argument could be made (that apparently she did) that shooting one for sure was better than repeating, and with technology nowadays beams are tighter with less scatter and generally can produce the same result with less radiation exposure (besides that CR and DR seem to require higher dose than film) than in years past, not to mention that collimation's benefits to film quality seem to be MUCH less significant to image quality than with film. However, that said it sounds as if papa is experiencing some pretty blatant disregard for ALARA.
In my opinion you did the right thing by confronting the tech first and not going and "tattling" on them to the supervisor first, which seems to be so prevalent in the spineless proffessional world. If they have disregarded what you have pointed out as a "law of practice" then you probably should go to the next level up....ESPESCIALLY if you are leaving soon, then you have potentially solved a problem without having to deal with the aftermath Smile

hope everything goes well, but im guessing by the post dates this has long since been resolved. i have a friend that works at G-town btw. good luck.

MurphyMobile · Moderator Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 149 Location: WNC

Calvin7711-

I hope you are not working as a technologist anywhere, anytime. You are a disgrace to the field
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papa-

It is nice to read a post where someone is concerned about radiation exposure. I had some issues with the techs at a hospital in re: pcxr's
done in the ICU.

I was frustrated with their technique, positioning and collimating. All the students and graduates from the local technical college were concerned about the ALARA rule more than positioning and collimation.

Report it to the suprevisor at the same time report it to the ARRT. If the supervisor does not respond, at least you have the ARRT standing with you.

MM Cool

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MNBrett · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 12

I feel for you.

It can be an agonizing decision to make.

Three things to think about:
Run up the chain of command, when you get no traction at one level, let them know you are taking it over their head. This way you are not going around them you are going straight through them.... they can't claim you did not bring it to them.

There are laws in this country that prevent you from being penalized for bringing up safety issues. Document as much as you can, to CYA.

Consider anonymous reporting as an option. You can get this info out there and get it corrected and keep your own hands clean, and save a baby from extra radiation. Downside here is that your name carries some weight with someone, without it your report could get ignored.
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B.J. RT(R)
Minneapolis Minnesota