Subject(s)
Foreign Bodies/diagnostic imaging , Pelvis , Surgical Instruments , Diagnostic Errors , Humans , RadiographyABSTRACT
As hospitals enter a new era of competition for patients, changing methods of reimbursement will likely reduce the inpatient volume historically experienced. Because of these and other factors, some hospitals have entered into mergers to remain financially viable. This article examines the causes, benefits and pitfalls of hospital mergers, as well as their impact on radiology departments. A description of the merger of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Evangelical Deaconess Hospital into the Samaritan Health Center of Detroit, Michigan is presented along with an overview of the significant impact on the radiology department.
Subject(s)
Health Facilities , Health Facility Merger , Hospital Departments/organization & administration , Radiology Department, Hospital/organization & administration , Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499 , MichiganABSTRACT
The use of radiography to detect pneumoconiosis is a familiar task to radiographers in coal mining states. This article includes a discussion on pneumoconiosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung) as well as the radiographic findings associated with pneumoconiosis and the federal act that established the black lung program in the United States.
Subject(s)
Coal Mining , Pneumoconiosis/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Pneumoconiosis/classification , Radiography , United StatesABSTRACT
In November 1982, the Federal Drug Administration approved Chymodiactin, chymopapain in injection form, for the treatment of herniated intervertebral discs. This procedure, termed chemonucleolysis, requires radiologic support. This article describes the anatomy, pathology, and special techniques related to chemonucleolysis and defines the role of the radiologic technologist in the completion of this procedure.
Subject(s)
Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis , Chymopapain/therapeutic use , Fluoroscopy , Humans , Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis/adverse effects , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/drug therapy , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
While the concept of mobile imaging services is not new, mobile screening mammography has recently gained a great deal of attention, and several mobile breast screening programs are in operation throughout the United States. This article describes the development of a mobile breast screening program designed to attract corporations' employees as its primary source of participants. The design of the program, corporate concerns and operational issues are discussed as well as the findings of its first year of operation.
Subject(s)
Mammography/statistics & numerical data , Mobile Health Units/organization & administration , Occupational Health Services/trends , Data Collection , Female , Humans , OhioABSTRACT
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common neurologic condition that is evaluated often using radiography. An overview of carpal tunnel syndrome and its diagnosis is presented, along with methods for radiographic evaluation of this condition.
Subject(s)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/etiology , Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/physiopathology , Humans , Radiography , Wrist/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Magnification radiography is the purposeful production of an image larger than the object being studied. This technique can be utilized to image detail that is not resolvable by normal means. An overview of magnification radiography, including the physics and equipment considerations, is presented to better acquaint the radiographer with this increasingly popular technique.
Subject(s)
Radiographic Magnification/methods , Humans , Technology, RadiologicABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance imaging is a new technology that is free from the hazards of ionizing radiation. However, the technology utilizes intense magnetic fields and there is a risk of ferrous objects becoming projectiles if brought too close to the magnet. This case report describes an accident where a large metallic body was drawn into the bore of the magnet, seriously injuring an individual in its path.
Subject(s)
Accidents , Iron , Leg Injuries/etiology , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Femoral Fractures/etiology , Male , Radius Fractures/etiology , Ulna Fractures/etiologySubject(s)
Candy , Holidays , Hospital Departments , Public Relations , Radiology Department, Hospital , Child , Humans , OhioABSTRACT
Performance evaluation of radiologic technologists is an important responsibility of the radiology manager. Technologist evaluations are often ineffective because they rely on a series of complex human relationships. This article describes problems associated with performance evaluations and presents one method for developing a new performance evaluation with the involvement of employees.
Subject(s)
Employee Performance Appraisal , Hospital Departments/standards , Personnel Management , Radiology Department, Hospital/standards , Technology, Radiologic/standards , Communication , Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over , OhioABSTRACT
Radiographic examinations may reveal skeletal variations that are biological or cultural in origin. This article reviews both types of variations, discusses radiographic examples, and explains how radiographs can be helpful in the field of anthropology.
Subject(s)
Anthropology, Cultural , Anthropology, Physical , Bone and Bones/abnormalities , Bone and Bones/diagnostic imaging , Cultural Characteristics , Genetic Variation , Humans , RadiographyABSTRACT
Significant cost savings can be made when invasive radiology procedures are done on an outpatient basis, say the authors. They discuss the concepts of outpatient invasive procedures and the development of an outpatient program at the University of Cincinnati Hospital.
Subject(s)
Angiography/economics , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/economics , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over , OhioABSTRACT
A new total hip replacement has been approved for use in the United States. This system utilizes ceramic articular components and a metal stem. This article reviews the history of total hip replacement (THR) and the construction and advantages of the ceramic total hip replacement. Additionally, the radiographic appearance of current THR systems are compared with the new systems.
Subject(s)
Ceramics , Hip Joint/diagnostic imaging , Hip Prosthesis , Humans , Radiography , VitalliumABSTRACT
The prospective payment system is affecting the management and delivery of health care, and will have a large impact on the radiology department. This article describes the prospective payment system and explains how the role of the radiologic technologist may be altered.
Subject(s)
Medicare/legislation & jurisprudence , Prospective Payment System/legislation & jurisprudence , Reimbursement Mechanisms/legislation & jurisprudence , Technology, Radiologic/economics , Aged , Cost Control , Delivery of Health Care/economics , Diagnosis-Related Groups , Humans , United StatesABSTRACT
The use of non-ionic contrast media for vascular applications is currently under investigation. Initial studies in the United States have demonstrated non-ionic contrast media have several advantages when compared to conventional ionic contrast media. A comparison of the ionic and non-ionic contrast media, including their physiologic effects, is presented to familiarize the radiologic technologist with this new product.
Subject(s)
Angiography , Contrast Media , Iothalamic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Metrizamide , Blood Vessels/drug effects , Brain/drug effects , Contrast Media/adverse effects , Heart/drug effects , Humans , Iopamidol , Kidney/drug effects , Osmolar ConcentrationABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance utilizes the magnetic properties of atoms within the tissues of the body to produce images. This paper is intended to provide the reader with the most basic information concerning magnetic resonance. The principles, fundamental parameters, equipment, and site planning considerations are presented to familiarize the radiologic technologist with this new imaging modality.