THE
September 2012
TECHNIGRAM
JOURNAL OF THE CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
Plus
AND
Profession News
Introducing: Thomas Edison
Finance Committee
Report
RTEC News
Page 6
Page 13
Page 15
Page 17
csrt.org
THE
TECHNIGRAM
JOURNAL OF THE CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
CONTENTS |
SEPTEMBER 2012
FEATURES
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
PAST PRESIDENTS
THE 73RD CSRT ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
A look back at past
leaders of the CSRT
BY LORENZA CLAUSEN
PAGE 10
Information on the Annual
Conference
BY LORENZA CLAUSEN
PAGE 7
INTRODUCING:
THOMAS EDISON
The Great American
Inventor
BY RICH LEHRER
PAGE 15
CONTENTS
6
8
13
14
Profession News
BY LORENZA
CLAUSEN
Good Samaritan
Hospital
BY DIANE
GARCIA
Finance
Committee
Report
BY FRED
CASTILLO
Legislative News
BY JAY HAISCHER
17
18
19
RTEC News
BY RACHELLE
CAMPBELL
Media Planning
and Patient CareWhat?
BY ROXANNE
MUNYON
ASRT Education
Conference Notes
BY RICH LEHRER
ON THE COVER:
CSRT Past PresidentsLeanna Selleck, Laura
Greico, Anita Slechta,
and Annemarie
Sundquist.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 2
THE
TECHNIGRAM
JOURNAL OF THE CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Rich Lehrer, RT [email protected]
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lorenza Clausen, RT [email protected]
Diane R. Garcia, RT [email protected]
John Radtke, RT [email protected]
Jay Haischer, RT [email protected]
Roxanne Munyon [email protected]
ART & PUBLISHING
Cody Doan [email protected]
Customer Service Please call 1-415-278-0441 or email us at [email protected].
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SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 3
SEPTEMBER 2012
President’s Message |
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
September is election time for the CSRT and its members. Preparing this issue’s message allowed me
to reflect over my own past two years as President. What inspired me, who inspired me to serve and
what I am most proud of were some of these questions that I pondered. I also posed these questions to
some of our past presidents. Our last issue honored our first President on our cover, but for more on
several of our other dedicated leaders, read on in this issue.
My road to the CSRT began in the first few months of my xray program. My program director
suggested I attend the local evening chapter meeting held once a month at the UC Davis Medical Center
campus. In 1994, live lecture format was the way to go for continuing education. It was there that I was
able to meet future colleagues and learn about the CSRT and the ASRT. I joined both of them along with
the Superior District chapter as a student member.
Many colleague friends inspired me along the way, but I have to thank Richard Nardinelli, CRT, for
telling me “you need to be on the board” and nominating me for a Director position in 2005. Anita
Slechta served as its president my first year on the board. She was a strong influence and mentored
me, in particular, to the issues of advocacy and legislation affecting the profession. I soon moved into
chairing the Legislative Committee for her.
Of what I am most proud is having been able to locate and inspire several RTs and students to become
involved. These people have helped improve and update many areas of our society today. Donating
their time and energy was invaluable. I am proud of having the board accomplish some of our goals
such as updating our website, giving a new look to our newsletter, The Technigram, and locating a
new, experienced and professional management company to help lead us into a new era. Thanks to
new ideas implemented, we are on the road to reaching out to more technologists and growing our
student committee. This will allow for more students to learn about what it means to be involved and
support the efforts. With this we can become a more active and visible presence. I am also very proud
to have been involved with many passionate advocates culminating in the 2010 ASRT Grassroots
Advocacy Awards for the Affiliate and Individual. It is a great honor to be recognized by our national
organization.
The biggest change over my 7 years on the board is the unfortunate decline in membership and
interest by technologists in their professional association. Obviously, the Internet has created a wealth
of choices for our continuing education that can meet our varied needs and schedules, unlike our live
lecture seminars and conferences. It is unfortunate that live lectures are being replaced with webinars
and online journals. I still feel the most beneficial format is where one can meet and mingle with your
peers, exchange ideas and share the joys and frustrations that our profession can bring.
The mentoring and knowledge gained in my first three years on the board as a Director made it a
natural progression to move up the ladder and hold office as Vice President before becoming President
Elect in 2009. I felt it was my responsibility to move up and lead new Directors coming into the board.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 4
ASRT’s Leadership Academy in 2009 also gave me additional
information and education on the responsibilities of the
position. I strongly feel RTs and students should all belong and
support their professional societies. If time permits one can give
more time and be a part of a committee or board. It is the only
way we can continue our mission and feel a strong pride for our
profession.
President’s Message |
Lorenza Clausen, RT(R)(CT)(MR), CRT
President, CSRT
Venipuncture and Intravenous Contrast Administration
Venipuncture |
The CSRT has been providing Intravenous Contrast Administration Classes throughout the Southern
and Northern California region. The most recent classes were given at St. Vincent Medical Center and
recently at Sutter General Hospital. These classes are different from Venipuncture/Phlebotomy classes
which only teach a person to withdraw blood as in a laboratory setting. The phlebotomy classes do not
give a technologist the California State required curriculum to administer iodinated contrast media.
The next Venipuncture and IV Contrast Administration workshop will be held at Good Samaritan
Hospital in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 10th, 2012
The schedule of upcoming IV Contrast Administration classes will be published on the CSRT website so
if you need the class, please check the website.
For information on IV Contrast Administration or if you have or know of a facility that needs an IV
Contrast class, please contact:
John Radtke
(323) 953-4000 ext. 2943
[email protected]
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 5
PROFESSION NEWS-NATIONAL FRONT SEPTEMBER 2012
Profession News |
Lorenza Clausen
The CARE bill, HR 2104 (Whitfield, R_KY) currently has 130 cosponsors. The bill is being lobbied
over the summer recess while representatives are currently in their home districts through the Labor
Day holiday. The California delegation continues to do follow up with emails, calls and advocacy blasts
to California RTs to help contact their representatives. Please keep in contact to remind them of the bill
and its importance to patient care and safety.
California has 17 cosponsors currently, with Joe Baca (CA-43), the most recent addition in mid June.
The others are Congresswomen Capps, Eshoo, Matsui, Lofgren, Sanchez, Speier, Napolitano, Waters
and Richardson and Congressmen Garamendi, Berman, Schiff, Filner, Sherman and McNerney.
The ASRT attended the recent Medical Imaging Safety Summit in Bethesda, Maryland, August 23-24,
2012. The American Board of Radiology sponsored the event with representatives from over 50
organizations, including the ASRT.
MARCA-Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act
MARCA, HR 3032 ,Reichert, (WA-8) is now at 34 cosponsors, with Congressman Filner and
Congresswoman Richardson, still the only two from California. It remains in the subcommittee on
Health in the Energy and Commerce Committee since introduction last September. More work is
needed to get this bill the recognition and attention it needs to gain cosponsorship support. This bill
would allow radiologist assistants to be recognized as nonphysician providers of health care services.
Medicare would reimburse for procedures performed in states authorizing their practice. Currently,
more than 25 states do recognize the RA, with California still unable to enact such legislation. As with
the CARE bill, representatives need to be contacted and asked to support this bill.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 6
73rd A.C. |
The
following presentations are currently scheduled for the 73rd Annual Conference at Good
Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 10th, 2012.
Developing Expert Problem Solving Skills in Radiologic Technology
Jennifer L. Yates, Ed.D., RT(R)(M)(BD)
Legal Updates and Regulatory Updates
Lisa K. Russell
Management of Patient Dose During Fluoroscopy
Frank Goerner, Ph.D.
Digital Radiography
Dennis Bowman, RT(R)
Image Wisely
Frank Goerner, Ph.D.
Radiology, the EMR, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Rolando R. Reyes, B.S., RT(R)
Make your plans to join us for CE presentations, the scientific display competition, vendors,
venipuncture certification, prizes, scholarship winners and the ever-popular student only game, “Who
wants to be a radiographer?” See you there!
Want to become involved in volunteering at the AC Conference?
Volunteers are needed to help with the annual conference on November 10, 2012 at Good Samaritan
Hospital, Los Angeles. Area of volunteering are: pre-registration on Friday November 9, after RTEC
Conference, Registration on Saturday, assist vendors in the vendor area, timekeepers, ushers, helping
with set up, assisting with set up in the scientific display area, putting up signs and more.
Requirements to volunteer are: you must be a current CSRT Member in good standing, and be able to
volunteer at least 4 hours on the day of the conference. If you are willing to help, please contact
Barbara Kissel @ [email protected] for further information.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 7
Good Samaritan Hospital |
Good
Samaritan Hospital or Good Sam as it is
affectionately called by the employees is more than a
community hospital. It is a world-class academic
medical center affiliated with both USC and UCLA
Schools of Medicine, This hospital has 408 licensed
beds and offers outstanding diagnostic, surgical and
therapeutic care in a state-of-the-art setting. The main
hospital was built in 1976 and for patient comfort all
rooms are private. There are also VIP suites available.
Good Sam supports eight Centers of Excellence that
focus on advancing the science of medicine while
providing outstanding patient care. This wonderful hospital also has an acclaimed oncology program
offers the widest range of options for gynecological, breast, brain and prostate cancers.
Each year, Good Samaritan admits approximately 17,000 patients (excluding newborns) and handles
more than 93,500 outpatient visits. More than 4,000 deliveries and 8,000 surgeries are performed
annually in 18 surgical suites.
Reflecting both Los Angeles' multicultural population and its international reputation and patient base,
Good Samaritan employs over 1,500 employees and has approximately 600 physicians on its medical
staff. Together the medical staff and employees speak over 54 languages/dialects.
The CSRT is proud and privileged to hold our annual conference in this wonderful facility.
www.goodsam.org (About Good Samaritan, 2012)
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 8
Getting to Good Sam |
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 9
Past Presidents |
Highlights from Past Presidents
By Lorenza Clausen
I contacted several past Presidents to interview them about their experience and thoughts, including
one I have yet to meet.
Davidson C L Jackson was president from 1976-77. Alfred Greene inspired him
to become involved with the CSRT during his xray registry exam in 1950. Betty
Mattea, another former President, and another colleague suggested that he run
for office. He had to check with his wife and the lady that did his typing. When
they agreed, he decided to run for office. His biggest accomplishment is the
CSRT History Book. He was the first recipient of the Golden Key in 1970 and
granted Life Membership in 1993. He believes that there is strength in numbers
and the CSRT stands for quality; both reasons to support and participate.
Through his participation he feels that the CSRT has been very good to him.
Betty Mattea was informed by Davidson C L Jackson that she needed to run for President or else! He
promised his support, but had high expectations from her if elected. He was a faithful mentor and her
most reliable colleague and board member. She remembers giving her speech to
over 500 people at the Inauguration banquet in Los Angeles. Nervous, her
husband was sent out to get a plate of food because she was too nervous to eat
before the acceptance speech. It was a large fancy hotel and was also attended by
physicians. A member of the RTCC at the time came up to congratulate her and
promised to support and work on any committee where physician input would be
needed. It was reassuring to have such support and interest from the physician
community. Betty is also a Life Member of the CSRT.
Laura Greico joined the CSRT and the ASRT in 1977, giving a check to Sister Agnes Therese Duffy to
send off with the application. She was her clinical instructor during her internship at St Jude’s
Hospital. That was the first day and she insisted to all of her students that they join their professional
organizations. She actually started on the board as President-Elect because they were having problems
getting people to run for office. The board and Sister Agnes mentored her during that year. Laura is
most proud of holding the 1991 Annual conference in Reno to keep costs down for the technologists.
Hotel rooms up north were expensive and by holding it in Reno, it earned CSRT a large profit that year.
Many Nevada technologists also attended the event. Many things have changed. The President, in her
day, often helped in the office with the Secretary. Today we have a management company run the day
to day business. RTEC is the only affiliate left under the CSRT umbrella, surviving where so many are
now gone. Continuing education is now electronic and online in great variety so fewer people attend
the annual conference or seminars. The board meeting is also not part of the annual conference so
most members do not attend and few, if any, take note of the business information posted on the
website. Her strongest feeling about participation is that “we should be the leaders and driving force
for our profession-masters of our own ship”. Keeping up with legislative news and being proactive
instead of reactive when changes happen. Being proactive means we do not have to be mandated by
requirements others feel we should comply with. Students are also important and by networking with
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 10
Past Presidents |
their peers and future colleagues, it can help them become informed, more familiar to potential
employers and be our future leaders.
The CSRT had the new San Diego
Society, a local chapter, in 1975.
Leanna Selleck became involved
initially at that level while a student
radiographer. The first CSRT Annual
Conference she attended was at the
Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
Impressed by that experience, she
attended as many CSRT conferences
as she could after that. She admired
the CSRT for its quality and for the
passion of those involved. She felt
she could offer something and joined
the board for several years. She was
President from 1998-99. Her
proudest achievement was the 1999
Annual Conference in San Diego. She
was also a California delegate for two
years to the ASRT Annual House of
Delegates and Governance meeting.
“RTs and student RTs should be a member of their professional organization because it is THEIR
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION”. She feels it is a detriment to technologists of today that they do not
join and support their organizations as years ago.
Leanna Selleck, Laura Greico (seated), Anita Slechta, and Annemarie
Sundquist.
Fred Castillo is our most recent Past President and
currently still resides on the 2011- 2012 board of
directors. As Finance chair he lends his experience
leading the CSRT in two separate terms from 20082010 and 2006-2007. Anita Slechta seriously made
him consider this endeavor and became his mentor
and inspiration. His most proudest efforts were in
assuring CSRT generated a profit in all of its events,
leading to increased revenue and financial stability.
He had an interest in moving the CSRT to a more
updated office management and improve the
mentoring of board to assume higher office were
ideas that began during his terms. The office
management began a transition to a management
company during his term.
Lorenza Clausen and Fred Castillo.
“The CSRT needs members to give it credibility in the state. Less than a thousand members out of
22,000 CRTs in the state of California says something about our inability to communicate the
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 11
Past Presidents |
importance and leverage of the CSRT at the state level. The CSRT is the only recognized voice in
California that speaks for CRTs.” Fred sees the increased lack of importance of the opinions on
equipment and supplies by working technologists in the field. Sponsors have less interest in
supporting organizations, such as the CSRT, because it no longer matters what they feel is important.
The economic situation of the last few years has also hurt our revenue base and will have to be
remedied in other ways if the CSRT is to continue its mission and presence.
The CSRT will elect its new board this month for the
upcoming year. These former Presidents led their
boards with dedication, passion and commitment in
the hopes that they would increase the credibility and
importance of CRTs in our state. Please take the time
to vote for your new board members. Please continue
to support the CSRT and be a voice in advocating to
others the importance of their professional
organization.
Betty Mattea and Anita Slechta with Phil Ballenger.
Lorenza Clausen, RT(R)(CT)(MR), CRT
President, CSRT
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 12
Finance Committee Report |
Finance Committee Report: Ending August 31, 2012
The CSRT membership should be aware that the account holdings of the CSRT is at a precariously low
mark. As it stands now, the balance in the checking account, which is used as the basis for covering
operating expenses, is $29,982.49. The expectation is that this balance be held at $50,000. This has
not been the case over the last two years.
The CSRT Board has done everything possible to cut expenses where it could be done without
damaging the overall quality of service that is expected. Now there is nothing left to cut without losing
credibility with the ASRT or without losing representation in the legislature of Sacramento. These are
areas which must be maintained.
Seminars, venipuncture classes and the Annual Conference are still on the agenda for 2012, but it is
absolutely necessary that these and all other programs hosted or offered by the CSRT show a profit.
CSRT is not in the business of competing with continuing educational companies for revenue in this
area. The CSRT is using these programs to assist those that may need CEU’s at the same time that a
mandatory meeting of the Board is necessary as stated by the CSRT By-Laws.
This brings us to the point that the CSRT does not have an EXPENSE problem, but does have a
REVENUE problem.
The CSRT with the assistance of the new management group (HPA) is moving forward with a
comprehensive action plan to promote the growth of the CSRT membership. Success would mean
increase our membership tenfold from 700 to 7,000 members. That success would give the CSRT a
revenue base that would be used for maintaining the management and duties of the CSRT.
But, growth, on the other hand, would need to come from expanding the services provided on the
revamped CSRT website. We will need to begin offering to our membership the opportunity to
educate themselves and receive CEU’s from the website, as is done on other sites. This would mean
direct competition, but so goes the nature of business.
The other item which would and should be considered is that the CSRT advocate and receive the
authority to officially validate programs for CEU’s here in CA. This would provide another source of
income. The obvious step from there would be to provide tracking to CSRT members so that they
would find it simple and easy to apply for their CRT Certificates when they come due.
If the CRT’s of CA want the CSRT to continue to promote the standards of delivery of care in our
respective modalities then all CRT’s need to be members of the CSRT. The one and only organization
recognized in Sacramento as the voice of ALL CRT’s.
Fred L. Castillo, R.T.
Past-President
Chair, Finance Committee
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 13
Legislative News |
California Radiologic Technologist Legislative News
Jay Haischer, MHA, CRT (R)(F), VA-BC
The following is an update for the Technigram regarding California Legislation bills and new issues
regarding testing for Fluoro Permits.
1. Beginning 1/1/2013 a new test administrated by ARRT will begin for those desiring a Fluoroscopic
Permit in California. Please go to CDPH-RHB website for details.
2. SB 1199 Dutton (Veinipuncture) Passed all Senate Committees. Ordered to third reading on
8/22/2012. Passed ASM Approp Committee 17-0. Great opportunity for final passing and signed into
law this year.
3. AB 510 Lowenthal (Dose recorded CT)- passed and begun 7/1/2012.
4. SB 1237 Padilla (Accreditation mandate CT) - passed and begins 7/1/2013.
5. AB 356 Fletcher - begun 1/1/2010 - Provides for Physician Assistant to list of Licenciates for
Operators and Supervisors Permit for Fluoroscopy.
6. AB 2214 Monning - (Man power plan) - held under submission in Senate Approp Committee.
Guess that's all the news that is fit to print.
Have a great day;
Jay Haischer, MHA, CRT (R)(F), VA-BC
General & Interventional Radiographer
Board Certified Vascular Access Specialist
Director at Large
California Society of Radiologic Technologists
"One of the penalites for not participating in politics is that you will be governed by your inferiors."
Plato
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 14
Introducing: Thomas Edison |
Introducing: Thomas Edison
Rich Lehrer MSRS, RT(R), ARRT, CRT
As you read these words on your computer screen, it is likely that you are also in the presence
of the great American inventor, Thomas Edison. Where would we be without the light bulb, a
technology of worldwide necessity were it not for this man? While Mr. Edison may be best
remembered for the incandescent light, he was instrumental in many other fixtures that we take for
granted and predecessor to our modern world. The telephone, the telegraph, the perfection of the first
working typewriter, and the list goes on and on. Mr. Edison took out over 300 patents between the
ages of 33-40. Most of these patents were improvements on electric light, heat and power systems.
Between the ages of 40-44, his focus was the phonograph, the motion picture camera with George
Eastman, and then the kinetoscope, a forerunner to the motion picture projector.
With his fertile mind, his state of the art laboratory, and his zeal for discovery and theoretical
proof, it should come as no surprise that with the discovery of x-rays, Mr. Edison was enchanted. So
enthusiastic in fact that he temporarily abandoned all of his current projects in favor of full time
investigation and improvement to the science of x-ray. In those early years, x-ray tubes were low in
roentegen ray output. Undaunted, Edison employed his advanced incandescent light knowledge to
produce higher output tubes. The glass that Edison used was 1/64th inch thick rather than the Crooks
tubes fashioned from thicker glass and consequently lower output. Eventually, Edison was able to sell
these tubes for 50 cents each and they sold at a profit!
The initial investigations over, his interest turned to moving pictures and the further
refinement of Professor Roentgens barium platinocyanide fluorescent screen. Since Edison was also a
chemist, he tested thousands of compounds for their fluorescent properties. In the end, Edison
selected calcium tungstate because of its greater fluorescence and relatively low afterglow.
Subsequent benefits from this blue spectrum light lent itself to photographic exposure. A spin-off from
Edison’s work with fluorescent screens was the forerunner of today’s modern fluorescent tubes used
for lighting.
Edison discovered that as the tube was moved a greater distance from the plate (image
receptor), the result was greater sharpness with less distortion. He also recognized that the intensity
of the roentgen rays i.e. that the intensity varies as the square of the focus film distance (now known as
SID). Based on this principle, Mr. Edison was able to determine that his calcium tungstate screens
were six times brighter than the barium platinocyanide screens.
Within 6 months after the discovery of x-rays, Mr. Edison would remark that the fluoroscope
could prove invaluable in a hospital setting for the purpose of setting (reducing) a fracture correctly
the first time rather than having to re-break the arm and re-set it. All the pieces were in place then for
exposure of the fluorescent screen captured on a photographic plate. Early in 1896, a patient
presented to Dr. Michael Pupin at Columbia University in New York City with nearly 100 small shot in
his hand. He was in extreme pain but was able to tolerate a short x-ray exposure.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 15
Dr. Pupin recounts:
Introducing: Thomas Edison |
“Mr. Edison had sent me several most excellent fluorescent screens, and by their
fluorescence I could see the numerous little shot and so could my patient....I decided to try a
combination of the Edison fluorescent screens and a photographic plate. The fluorescent screen
was placed on the photographic plate and the patients hand was placed upon the screen. The xrays acted upon the screen first and then the plate. The combination succeded even better than
I had exected. A beautiful photograph was obtained with an exposure of only a few seconds.
The photographic plate showed the numerous shot as if they had been drawn with pen and ink.”
Thus the first x-ray picture obtained in February 1896 and the first surgical operation
performed in America with guidance from an x-ray image.
By this time, the rest of the world has started to hear about x-rays also, and a great curiosity
ensued. The brain seemed to be of particular interest as documented by William Randolph Hurst who
wired Edison with a request “to the Journal undertake to make a Cathodograph of human brain”. Mr.
Edison was always willing to inform the public of this discovery and to share knowledge with the
common man. He set up 4 “portable” x-ray installations at the National Electric Exposition in New
York City in April 1896. The public was invited to view the bones of their own hands. Whether that
exposition was the impetus for the commonplace “portable” radiographic examinations in today’s
world is left to the opinion of today’s readers.
No discussion of the contributions of Thomas Edison and his work with roentgen rays would be
complete without the mention of hisassistant, the long suffering and ultimate martyr, Charles Dally.
Mr. Dally and his brother Clarence were glassblowers who came to be employed by Mr. Edison in the
1890’s. Over a seven year course, we can follow a pattern of Mr. Dally’s overexposure; hair falling our,
face wrinkling, dermatitis, sores, then arteriosclerosis, finally his entire arm to above the elbow was
cancerous. Mr. Dally succumbed to mediastinal cancer in 1904. Mr. Edison was not unaffected by
these developments having his own suspicions that peering into the fluoroscope was detrimental to
his eyesight. In 1903, Edison was quoted as saying “Don’t talk to me about x-trays, I am afraid of
them.” Indeed, that fear is healthy and promotes the continued good health for the thousands of
practitioners employed in our field today. Mr. Dally, you did not die in vain.
As Mr. Edison’s enthusiasm for the study of the roentgen ray diminished, his time was taken up
again by other pursuits. Yet his investment in the fledgling science of x-ray has continued to benefit
our society and the practice of modern medicine. We owe a great debt to Thomas Edison for having
the vision and the determination to make our world a better place.
The author recognizes the following citation as significant guidance for this article.
Fuchs, Authur W. Edison and Roentgenology. The American Journal of Roentgenology and
Radium Therapy 1947; 57 No. 2. 145-15
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 16
RTEC |
Calling
all faculty, clinical coordinators, clinical instructors and technologists who
work with students! The 49th Annual Teachers Conference, hosted by RTEC is
focusing on the clinical setting this year. Most of our students’ time is spent in the
clinical setting, making it the place where the majority of active learning occurs. This
was our focus when putting together this year’s speaker line up.
Introducing a few of this year’s dynamic speakers:
Kevin J. Powers E.d.D., R.T., (R),(M) currently holds the position of Director of
Education at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). Kevin has over
thirty years experience in education with prior experience as a program director of
hospital, Community College and University based radiography programs. Kevin will
be speaking about two important topics. “Areas Of Synergy And Conflict In The
Clinical Setting That Can Impact Patient Service And Radiation Safety” will highlight
the areas of overlapping interests among Students, Clinical Staff, Clinical Instructor
and educational program faculty. Special emphasis will be given to area of synergy
and conflict that have the potential to impact patient service and radiation safety in
the direct patient care clinical setting. The second presentation, “The Image Gently
Digital Radiography Safety Checklist Tool for Improving Quality in Pediatric
Radiography” provides an overview of the development of the Image Gently Digital
Radiography Safety Checklist and strategies of implementing the checklist in clinical
practice.
Nanette M. Salazar CRT(R)(M)(F) ARRT(R)(M)(CT)(QM) has spent the last 11 of her
19 year career as a Clinical Instructor at a Level 1 Trauma Center. She is a Clinical
Instructor for the Foothill College Radiologic Technology Program. Nanette’s
presentation, “Teaching the Challenging Student in Radiology's Clinical Setting”, will
explore reasons that make students a challenge for instructors in the clinical setting
as well as characteristics of these students. Different learning styles and various
assessment tools will be presented as well as strategies and tools to assist students
and motivate them to succeed.
K. Judy Rose, CRT/RT(R) has been active in the Radiologic Technology profession for
33 years. She has spent the last 26 years with Merced College as the Radiography Program Director.
During her “Radiographic Image Critiquing: Getting on the Same Page”, Judy will describe an effective
image critique method with a focus on patient rotation. This method allows the Radiologic
Technologist and student to "get on the same page" regarding repeats and image evaluation.
The other speakers to look forward to are Bart Pierce,B.S., R.T.(R)(MR) and Mike Enriquez, M.P.A,
B.S.R.T, R.T.(R)(CT) who will be speaking about “Advanced Imaging Pathology Profiles”. Robert
Klenck, MD, a preeminent Orthopedic Surgeon, will be discussing “Intraoperative Use of Fluoroscopy
for Specialized Hip and Pelvis Procedures.” We are honored to have the best and the brightest in our
profession leading the way. We hope you will join us for an energizing and educational day.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 17
7:15-­‐8:00 Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00-­‐8:15 Welcome and Announcements Friday, November 9, 2012
Good Samaritan Hospital
8:15-­‐9:45 Areas Of Synergy And Conflict In The Clinical Setting That Can Impact Patient Service and Radiation Protection Conference Sponsors: 9:45-­‐10:00 Break 10:00-­‐11:30 Advanced Imaging Pathology Profiles 11:30-­‐1:00 Lunch with the RHB 1:00-­‐2:00 Radiographic Image Critiquing – Getting on the Same Page 2:00-­‐3:00 The Image Gently Digital Radiography Safety Checklist Tool for Improving Quality in Pediatric Radiography 3:00-­‐3:15 Break 3:15-­‐4:15 Teaching the Challenging Student in Radiology's Clinical Setting 4:15-­‐5:15 Intraoperative Use Of Fluoroscopy For Specialized Hip And Pelvis Procedures 5:15-­‐5:30 Closing Remarks Faculty, Clinical Instructors, Clinical Coordinators
this Conference is for you!
An affiliate of CSRT (www.csrt.org) Moseley-­‐Salvatori Conference Center 637 S. Lucas Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 7.0 hours CE pending ASRT approval.
Pre-Registration by October 1, 2012
RTEC member - $120.00
Non-member - $170.00
At the door
$140.00
$200.00
Seating is limited to 50 participants. Please register early to
assure your seat.
Register at:
http://www.csrt.org/events.html
If paying by check, complete the
registration form:
Please make check payable to RTEC.
Mail to:
Rachelle Campbell
1324 S. Winchester Blvd, #107
San Jose, CA 95128
Registration “at the door” does not include luncheon.
~ No refunds after October 15, 2012 ~
Media Planning and Patient Care – What?
Media Planning… |
By Roxanne Munyon
The other night I had dinner with a dear, longtime friend.
After we were seated and got caught up on
our families and had some good laughs about past shenanigans we then started talking about work.
She is a Media Planner and I am a student of Radiology.
It was my first semester in the clinic and I started to share some of my stories of my experience. I told
her how I care for my patients by always introducing myself and making sure I have the right patient,
explain and make sure the patient understands the kind of exam that is going to be done, showing
them how to get back to the waiting area or to the elevators. This general treatment should be
common place with most healthcare workers. What I shared next was how I go a little bit more. If the
patient is waiting for the Doctor to come in for an exam, I get them to tell me a little bit about
themselves. Through talking with my patients I learn their stories. Everyone has one. Some of them
have come all the way from Montana to have their surgery because this hospital has one of only three
Doctors in the country that can do it. One patient came in for a “routine” chest x-ray, but for her, not so
routine. She hadn’t had any medical care in 14 years, but was a breast cancer survivor. She was
terrified that the cancer had come back because of the mass on her back. The stories are as individual
as the people themselves. What I try to do, even though patients are only with me a short time, is to
make that human connection. To let them know, that I “get” that they are scared and that I will do my
job the best that I can so the Doctors who are helping them can do their best.
“That’s it!” she cried. “That is what my job is.” What? She went on to explain that she plans the media
strategies for her clients; her clients include several Bay Area hospitals. We have all seen commercials
on why one hospital should be chosen over another. That is her job. She works with hospital
administration to convey to the public that hospitals understand people have choices. We all want
healthcare workers that are smart and know what they are doing, but we also want to be cared for; we
want good customer service. She said that one of the hardest parts of her job and for hospital
administration is to get that point across to their staff. It is the individual that makes the difference.
The sincere look before their exam begins or the squeeze of their hand before transport takes them
back to their room. One piece of advice a Tech told me my first semester in the clinic was, “People
don’t remember what you said to them, they do remember how they felt”. I try to keep that in mind.
The old adage holds true “It’s not what you say, but how you say it”. Patient care is one of the primary
reasons people choose a Doctor or one hospital over another. I know I have chosen Doctors based on a
friend’s opinion and I have dropped them when I have been treated poorly. Patient care and human
connection is what my friend bases her strategy on. Patient care is what administration tries to stress
as most important.
Where we work is no doubt a stressful environment at times. However, just like accessing patient
factors is the primary factor before setting the technique for an X-ray, patient care is the most
important thing of the overall exam. I believe people want to know that they are cared about
throughout their hospital experience. They want to know we are competent, but don’t want to feel like
or know that they may be the 43rd chest X-ray today. Each person is different and deserves undivided
attention. Maybe it is because I am a “newbie” to this career, but that is one aspect of it I hope I never
lose.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 18
ASRT Conference |
Educationally prepared and clinically competent.
Synopsis of activities from the ASRT Educational Conference
and House Of Delegates Conference
6/27 – 7/2/2012 – Las Vegas, NV
Rich Lehrer, CA Delegate
(These are my conference notes taken at the event.)
Educational Conference:
• 6 hours CE some better than others
• Wrong turn - From manager to bully -- interesting look at various forms of harassment and coercion
• Strategies to achieve optimal Learning during Clinical Applications Training – how to use time wisely, pre
application checklist and maximizing the on=site time. Preload software, etc.
• Identifying, attracting and retaining exceptional talent. Staffing strategies in Medical Imaging – very professional
presentation on HR.
• Simple solution to a complex problem – How to predict future healthcare workforce staffing levels approach was to
determine the state or geographic population and trends in that population as it relates to the available rad techs in
that geographic location. Determine the ratio techs to population. Currently about 1:1250
• What goes into the scaled score of 75% = ARRT explanation of the quality factor to level the difficulty of the test as
a whole.
JRCERT update
634 radiography programs to date
93 actions in 2012 including accreditation actions
ARRT update
316,000 technologists members to date
Average age of RT is 43 based on aging population. Baby boomers population will be a contributing factor in the future
Change graduate to exam lag time from 5 to 3 years
2015 is AS degree minimum requirement.
Following CARE, State licensing, MARCA and (Ing Guertha wioly)
ASRT update
Major overhaul in ASRT website - went from 1000 to 600 pages
Social media is now encouraged and featured
Lower right is a good portal
146,000 ASRT members now - one of the largest membership organization in the world.
Resources for affiliates.
Leadership academy and LAE
Speaker’s bureau
Partnership with industry for sponsorship and dose reduction.
CARE Bill – 125 bipartisan co-sponsors this year Senate 3338
Educationally prepared and clinically competent
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 19
ASRT Conference |
6/28
HEALTHCARE REFORM AND TRENDS
Nuggets include:
The US system is fragmented for payment and delivery systems. This is a well known fact
20% of the national market is employed in healthcare
US healthcare is the 5th largest economy in the world = 2.6 trillion dollars
Use data as a cost reduction opportunity – radiology is a perfect storm as we are a data rich environment.
Data for: outcomes, personal medicine, predictive modeling, corporate effectiveness and clinical decision support
CT and MRI are the current modern medical marvels of innovation outranking pharmacy products and all recent devices
(stents and so forth)
Slow growth is expected for demand of Diagnostic Imaging services through 2016.
HOD first business meeting 6/29/12 1330 hrs.
I am attending with John Radtke seated on my left. Was mostly parliamentary. To establish a quorum and orient to the voting
process
6/30 – Bylaws open forum 1st 7 motion no discussion
12.07 from North Dakota the verbiage licensed does not apply to ND because techs are not liscensed.
Perhaps the term certified rather than licensed
If we pull 1207 from the consent calendar, then 12.08 goes also 12.09 and 12.10
12.08 PULLED
12.09 PULLED Practitioner is defined as a technologist performing the procedure. Facility and intuitional policy can also
dictate as long as it is within the scope of practice. From the governmental aspect, the verbiage is important to be clear.
Licensed if applicable is also suggested. In Virginia, you need to be licensed if you don’t work or are covered by a licensed
hospital. And if using licensed or certified, does that include limited license. Sal Martino said the verbiage has been
reviewed by counsel, and that it is OK
12.10 PULLED
12.11 – pulled because of the same semantic terminology
12.12 –pulled because 11 is no longer active. Suggestion that this should have been done during the public comment
period. Advisory opinion statement then advisory position statement remains in force.
Position statement – that is what we have been doing – not defensible
Advisory opinion statement – there is documentation to prove what this says is applicable and relevant. ACR practice
guidelines are referenced heavily. Legal defensibility.
These will come back next year rather than change
12.13 – no discussion
12.14 – pulled per the recommendation of Practice standards committee
12.15 – no discussion
12.16 – no discussion
12.17 – no discussion
12.18 – use the ASRT Communities as a networking tool to campaign for office. Who is the moderator of that discussion
ASRT already has a policy and ongoing vigilance to read and if necessary censor content. To date there have been no issues.
Discussion for and against this issue. Opinion that we adopt this as the wave of the future, opinion that this negates the
original intent of the ASRT communities
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 20
ASRT Conference |
Suggest separate page for politicking
PERHAPS A CSRT PAGE ON COMMUNITIES FOR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS BLOG PERHAPS
Changing campaign guidelines – asking questions online and what type of question is appropriate
Students also entered the discussion in favor of posting online. Video even. There is a social media policy in place
Even Sal Martino, ASRT CEO is in favor of this motion.
Social and electronic media should not be the only avenue for campaigning
ASRT communities is a level playing field to which every member already has access.
Pulled:
12: 3,7,8,9,10,11,12,14 18 will not be voted upon
Radiography Chapter Meeting
ARRT reported 12542 new exam applicants, 296K registered radiographers existing
ARRT polling of new grads and 1-5 yr techs regardiong present scope of practice regarding skull / fb / z arches and CT. Is
this relevant for the board exam
Discussion regarding the scaled exam slated to begin in 2013(?). The intent is to level the playing field to apply a difficulty
factor to the questions based on the statistical data regarding how well this question was responded over the years. More
difficult questions score higher than less difficult questions. Therefore with the 200 questions the exam is interpreted as the
same level of difficulty by virtue of applying this difficulty factor. Therefore, 186 correct responses may equate to 184
correct responses for a score of 93 rather than 92. There are no plans at this time to apply this same algorithm for the LXMO
exam.
There was also discussion on the scope and content of the LXMO exam – 100 questions on protection, patient care, image
production and so forth, but only 20-25 questions regarding imaging procedures.
Quality Management Chapter Meeting
ARRT reports 35 applicants for first time exam, some 1400 nationwide registered technologists have this certification.
QM discussion started with discussion of the traditional role of the QM technologist in the hospital and their new role. How
to enforce and identify abusers of bad practice
The role of the computer for data mining and new computer applications to identify data that is relevant.
Discussion on what would be useful data to collect.
Suggestion for a taskforce to identify the new role of the QM technologist and to make the public and the profession aware of
this role.
Education Chapter
Leslie Winters from JRCERT encouraged everyone to use the portal. If trouble, call the office. You may change personnel
names and so forth later this summer.
ARRT Jan 2016 post primary education = 16 hours structured education Current exam specs
More discussion on the semantic issue “licensed”. That resolution is necessary for the present legislation to define the role
of the RT. It was approved by the radiography chapter meeting by consensus 2 hours ago.
7 states formal contracts sharing information KY, NY, CA and NB and 3 others.
In states affiliated with the JRCERT, evaluation of programs accept the JRCERT report of findings for state certification. On
site visits the state is invited to participate.
It is important to comment on the education community for the new curriculum. Look careful at the sectional anatomy.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 21
ASRT Conference |
Discussion of the lofty goal for BS Radiologic Science = Rad, CT, IR certifications with the BS degree.
Cannot cram CT curriculum into the existing AS degree.
Most of the world is at 3 and 4 year level. USA is at 2 year level.
There will be a link ‘RSS’ feed like the radsci listserve from ASRT communities
HOD Second meeting Sunday 7/1
A lot of personal comments from the floor from the old timers. Although it was in good natured fun, the banter did detract
from the formality of the event. There was too much from the leadership at the microphone and from the podium.
Consent Calendar means adopted and passed:
12. 1,2,4,5,6,13,15,16,17 and passed
12.03 - Discussion and voting on 12.03 Adopt the QM standards are now adopted by virtue of the amendment to recognize
the QM technologist as the responsible body to report the data
12.07 – Medication Injection through existing vascular access – Passed even after discussion of these semantic
interpretation ot the term “licensed”. Will not apply in CA
12.08 - Rescind Vascular Access
12.09 Passed Medication Injections by Radiologic Technologists
12.10 – Rescind the position statement” Med and Contrast Media Injections by radiologic technologists” passed
12.11 – Adopt Placement of Personal; Radiation Monitoring Devices is adopted
12.12 – Rescind “Wearing radiation Monitoring Devoices” is rescinded in favor of 12.11
12.14 – Rescind position statement “CT procedures on pediatric patients” was referred back to committee after some
confusion regarding that the motion was to rescind and send back to committee
12.18 – The establishment of an ASRT community on Candidate statement as a potential for increased participation in the
voting process.
Courtesy Resolution regarding July 4 and the recognition of veterans and military service to have given their lives humbly
and courageously Moved by Ginger Griffin and second by Travis Brown.
FINAL COMMENT:
A busy conference with precious little time for socializing. However all felt that the time spent in the meetings and activities
was valuable and productive. Other state representatives and attendees also felt the same.
I was honored to attend the ASRT elevation to life member ceremony. Among this years fellows included Bert Bartrund,
Paul Laudicina, James Johnston (one of my professors in grad school)
From CA, I also saw Pamela Jones from Canada College, Barbara Kissell and Lynn Leloo from Pasadena City College, and
Jenny Do and West Wilson Student Scholarship winners.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 22
Faces In the Field |
HOD Attendees
HOD CA Attendees
HOD CA Student Attendees
HOD
CA Student
Delegates Mingling
HOD
Students at the Latest and Greatest 2012
SEPTEMBER 2012 | The Technigram | 23
GURNICK ACADEMY OF MEDICAL ARTS
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Successful Medical Imaging School seeks …
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM DIRECTOR/INSTRUCTOR
Deadline: Open until filled.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts seeks an individual with demonstrated administrative
and instructional skills to join an outstanding team of faculty and administrators to
provide high-quality services to students and to the medical imaging community which
will employ them. This is a full-time position, beginning as early as September of 2012
and which is located at its Concord Campus at 1401 Willow Pass Road, Suite 450,
Concord, CA 94520.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of the Concord Campus Administrator and the R.T. Program
Executive Director, coordinate student recruitment, selection, guidance, instruction, and
evaluation; establish effective working relationships with radiologic technology staff
within the clinical education centers; coordinate the community advisory committee for
the program; organize, deliver and oversee lecture presentations, the preparation of
laboratory and clinical assignments, and all demonstrations and evaluations regarding
program courses including off-campus clinical practicum courses. Primary areas of
teaching may include didactic, lab, and clinical courses in radiographic positioning,
special radiographic procedures, digital image acquisition and display, general physics
and radiation production, radiation physics, principles and use of radiographic
equipment, radiographic technique, pharmacology, venipuncture, basic principles of
computed tomography, ethics and law, fluoroscopy, radiobiology, pathology, quality
assurance, radiation protection, patient care and management, and other related
courses; perform student observation, evaluation, and skills testing; and coordinate
program accreditation processes. In addition, successful candidates will demonstrate
knowledge of the principles and process of instructional design, media, and curriculum
development, use of advanced technology in the delivery and archiving of information,
current clinical aspects of Radiologic Technology, and theoretical aspects of Radiologic
Technology along with the ability to teach and communicate effectively with students,
provide academic advising, work closely and cooperatively with colleagues, and work
with academically and culturally diverse students.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
There are numerous adjunct faculty in the program with excellent teaching and clinical
skills. This will be the only full-time faculty member. Our facilities at the Concord
Campus are shared with other allied health programs offered by Gurnick Academy of
Medical Arts and include a classroom with state-of-the-art computer and presentation
equipment, a digital energized x-ray lab with digital processing, a student computer
laboratory and library, and patient care skills laboratories. Clinical experiences take
place in a variety of facilities and agencies throughout various cities in Northern
California. (See list on page 3.) The Program attracts excellent students and has
outstanding graduates. The school also possesses approval from the State of
California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch, to serve as a
fluoroscopy school.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
1. Master’s degree. Equivalency consideration will only be considered by JRCERT for
the educational requirement (Master’s degree). Candidates who do not possess the
Master’s degree and who wish to claim equivalency must be currently enrolled in a
Master’s degree program and expected to complete the degree within one year from
the time of employment. If equivalency is granted, it will be contingent on the
Master’s degree being completed within one year of appointment to this position.
2. Three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience as a registered
radiologic technologist in a clinical setting
3. Two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) teaching experience in a Joint Review
Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)-approved program
4. Current certification as a Radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists
5. Current certification as a Radiologic Technologist by the State of California
Department of Public Health—Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB)
6. Current Fluoroscopy permit from the State of California Department of Public Health
Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB)
7. Compliance with ARRT and CDPH-RHB requirements for continuing education
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Compensation commensurate with experience.
APPLICATION MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES
To obtain application materials, please send an email to [email protected].
School Website and Radiologic Technology Program information: www.gurnick.edu