NYSSRS BLOG

Hey, I saw a funny Radiologic faux pas the other night when I rented the movie Pursuit of Happiness. For those of you who have not seen it, the main character is employed selling portable bone density machines. In one scene he is shaking the hand of a Doc that just bought a unit. The docs hand is extended over one of those dutch doors where the bottom half is closed. Anyway, in the background is a lightbox with an LS Spine film hanging upside down! Stuff like that just cracks me up. Don’t they hire consulants to catch those mistakes? Other than that, it is a pretty good film.

I wasn’t at all surprised by the report in the New England Journal of Medicine that Computer Aided Detection is creating a lot of follow-up biopsies that are negative. The AP report started with the line “it appears that traditional mammography readers” (I believe they meant human physicians) were more accuarate……
Of course the supporters of CAD, most likely the manufacturers, jumped on the story to defend the technology.
It has been my opinion for a long time that we jumped into all of this technology too fast. It was pushed by the companies.

Hi everyone,
>> I know that in the HOD, I mentioned this technology when I
>> first read about its development. Now that it is here – I want to
>> again bring up the issue of “_applying ionizing radiation to humans_”
>> (which is the way NY has our profession described in the NYS law.)
>> This technology would not fly (no pun intended) in NY because of the
>> way our law is written….the person operating this device would need to be a radiographer.
>> I do not recall if AZ is a licensure state – but if it is – then
>> we have the public volunteering for an x-ray – no matter how small
>> the radiation – without a radiographer performing the procedure. I
>> am also concerned about how this will affect the ASRT’s efforts with
>> the RAD-care bill etc. We are trying to say the persons who apply
>> ionizing radiation to humans be educated in a certain way and I do
>> not believe the baggage / people at the airport security have what it takes.
>> The other issue is that this is not a mandatory screening
>> procedure
>> – so what type of security is it providing…it is unnecessary
>> radiation if it can not ensure the safety of the passengers as it is
>> supposedly intended. (What type of gun toting terrorist will
>> volunteer?!) The govt can not say this is the right of the govt under
>> the terrorist law to allow untrained persons to apply radiation to
>> humans – since it is not being done in any effective manner…it makes no sense.
>> There is a place for comments on this web site (look for
>> “contact
>> us”)- I suggest everyone going to it to voice their opinions on this
>> issue and those of you who are still delegates, please consider
>> bringing it up on the floor of the house this year (late
>> resolution???)- the ASRT needs to determine if this is safe practices
>> for non-radiographer personnel and if it conflicts with the mission
>> of the ASRT where minimum standards are concerned. ATV

Nurses in New York State have not embraced the law change that now allows Rad Tech’s to inject contrast. I’ve been told to my face that they refuse to support it and won’t treat the “anaphylaxis that is sure to occur.” This is unprofessional and uncollegial in my opinion. A patient will have a reaction regardless of who injects. Why don’t they get it? We are professionals too. I for one am sick of seeing too many Imaging departments being run by the nursing department. Only the managers can ease this problem by coming forward and supporting technologists as they try to become certified. The Radiologists had faith in us and I will put more stock in the opinion of a physician before a nurse any day.

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