ABSTRACT
Aim: The satisfaction of proffering radiological health care considerably contributes to the improvement and quality of health care in health care institutions, especially in the extraordinary situations, such as the viral Coronavirus disease infection where patients are being treated under special conditions. Very often, the problem regarding the understanding among the patients and the healthcare workers can occur. The primary purpose of the research is to determine the contentment of infected Covid-19 patients with the provided service of the radiological diagnostics department. Method(s): The study was conducted at the Public Health Institution Brcko District Health Center" (Dispensary for lung diseases) and TBC (ATD). The number of partic-ipants was 700. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions. Laschinger's customised and standardized questionnaire called HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), a questionnaire about the patient's contentment with the quality of health care, was used for the purpose of research analysis(1). The Pearson correlation coefficient and the ANOVA test were used for statistical data pro-cessing. Result(s): The given results have shown that the patients rated the quality of health care with a number 4 which indicates that they are somewhat satisfied with the provided quality. When asked about level of adequate care during their imaging, patients were less satisfied with nurses and technicians in comparison to the medical radiology en-gineers. Conclusion(s): The obtained results can contribute to a better understanding of patients as well as the improvement of health systems in the form of new health care reforms, as well as to make progress in educating health workers how to communicate with patients.Copyright © 2019 by Acta Medica Saliniana.
ABSTRACT
Mobile radiography allows for the diagnostic imaging of patients who cannot move to the X-ray examination room. Therefore, mobile X-ray equipment is useful for patients who have difficulty with movement. However, staff are exposed to scattered radiation from the patient, and they can receive potentially harmful radiation doses during radiography. We estimated occupational exposure during mobile radiography using phantom measurements. Scattered radiation distribution during mobile radiography was investigated using a radiation survey meter. The efficacy of radiation-reducing methods for mobile radiography was also evaluated. The dose decreased as the distance from the X-ray center increased. When the distance was more than 150 cm, the dose decreased to less than 1 µSv. It is extremely important for radiological technologists (RTs) to maintain a sufficient distance from the patient to reduce radiation exposure. The spatial dose at eye-lens height increases when the bed height is high, and when the RT is short in stature and abdominal imaging is performed. Maintaining sufficient distance from the patient is also particularly effective in limiting radiation exposure of the eye lens. Our results suggest that the doses of radiation received by staff during mobile radiography are not significant when appropriate radiation protection is used. To reduce exposure, it is important to maintain a sufficient distance from the patient. Therefore, RTs should bear this is mind during mobile radiography.
ABSTRACT
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, maintaining adequate staffing in healthcare facilities is important to provide a safe work environment for healthcare workers (HCWs). Japan's early return-to-work (RTW) program may be a rational strategy at a time when there is an increased demand for the services of HCWs. We assessed whether the early RTW program for HCWs who have been in close contact with a COVID-19 case in our hospital was justified. Close contacts were identified according to the guidance document of the World Health Organization. HCWs who met all of the following conditions were eligible to apply to an early RTW program: (1) difficult to replace with another HCW, (2) received the third dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, (3) a negative COVID-19 antigen test before each work shift, and (4) consent from relevant HCWs and their managers to participate in the program. Between January and March 2022, 256 HCWs were identified as close contacts (median age, 35 years;192 female). Thirty-seven (14%) secondary attack cases of COVID-19 were detected. Among 141 HCWs (55%) who applied to the early RTW program, nurses and physicians comprised about three-quarters of participants, with a higher participation rate by physicians (78%) than nurses (59%). Eighteen HCWs tested positive for COVID-19 by the sixth day after starting the early RTW program. No COVID-19 infection clusters were reported during the observation period. These findings suggest that the early RTW program for COVID-19 close contacts was a reasonable strategy for HCWs during the Omicron wave. © 2022 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases
ABSTRACT
The present study report introduces the roles of radiological technologists (RTs) at Tsukuba Medical Examiner's Office in Japan where a computed tomography system dedicated for examining corpses has been equipped. Several projects and enacted laws regarding postmortem imaging (PMI) have accelerated its use in many Japanese hospitals for detecting causes of death. The lack of sufficient forensic radiologists has led increasing need of RTs to assist forensic pathologists in a timely manner. Optimizing parameters and image processing of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and assistance in interpretation of PMCT using checklists by RTs help forensic pathologist to diagnose death causes and select needs for the following autopsy.