I went to Florida last week to visit my family and friends. One of the days I was there I visited a friend of my mom's. After we got caught up she was eager to discuss her concerns with me about having a medical procedure the following day. She was scheduled to have a venous doppler ultrasound of her leg. She had been having leg pain and the ...

The hospital where I recently worked went smoke free in February 2011, and it was a welcome change. There was nothing worse than walking into work behind someone smoking. I know this ban poses a strain on staff, patients, and visitors, but it's for the health of all involved. I would usually take my break in a beautiful outdoor area overlooking ...

Each November all of us in the radiology field celebrate Rad Tech Week. This takes place to commemorate the anniversary of the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen back on Nov. 8, 1895. It highlights the important role medical imaging plays in health care.At my hospital in Tampa, Fla., we receive goody bags with anything from specialty ...

This past weekend I encountered a frustrating situation. We had a patient come over for a scan that necessitated IV contrast and thus an IV. As I was talking to this patient she told me that she's a very hard stick and it took the RN a while to get the current access. As I flushed the IV it felt weird, like something was off. I proceeded to flush ...

As CT technologists we often wonder if the scan we are performing is really necessary. Do we not fully understand the severity of the illness, have we not taken a thorough history, or are we thinking about the potential unnecessary radiation the patient is about to receive. These are all things that pop into our minds from time to ...

You can say just about anything as long as you say it nicely. Our word choice and tone of voice drastically affect the reactions and outcomes we get when communicating. When speaking to patients it is very important to make certain they hear us and are receptive to our instructions so we can get the best x-ray or scan possible. Portable chest ...

Last weekend the majority of our traumas were motorcycle related. When it's motorcycle versus car or truck or tree the motorcycle never wins. People who ride them underestimate the dangers. In Florida there is no law that states you must wear a helmet. How can this be? The first fatality I ever saw in the ER was this exact depiction. The cyclist ...

When most of us consider medical radiation exposure we first think of CT scans, fluoroscopic and interventional procedures, and emergent x-rays. I think many of us forget to consider the x-rays we get at the dentist's office. It is important to ask your dentist why you need any x-ray that you might be receiving. Don't ever be afraid to challenge a ...

Last weekend the veteran technologist I usually work with was away at a conference. I had no idea who I’d be working with and this left me feeling a little uneasy. It turned out that Saturday I worked with a woman I am very familiar with and truly enjoy and Sunday with a woman I rarely encounter. I was very proud of how I handled myself throughout ...

Communicating effectively with my patients is essential to all aspects of my job. From the moment I say hello and introduce myself the process begins. It is important to put patients at ease and gain their trust. Maintaining good eye contact, mirroring their tone and vocabulary, and adjusting the stretcher so we are the same height play a ...