Radiologist assistant: best fit for medical imaging.

The radiologist assistant (RA) is an emerging mid-level provider who can benefit radiologists, technologists, radiology departments, patients, and the healthcare system in the United States. A review of the peer-reviewed literature published from 2005-2013 revealed a moderate amount of research about these benefits, which was supplemented with research on collaborative relationships and advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). As an advanced practice radiologic technologist, the RA has a strong technically based, patient-centered background and is the ideal mid-level provider in an imaging-centered clinical environment.

Reducing blood stream infections during catheter insertion.

BACKGROUND: Registered radiologist assistants (R.R.A.s) and other health care providers frequently are responsible for placing peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines. Postprocedure blood stream infections are a potentially costly and medically serious complication. PURPOSE: To determine the most effective methods for R.R.A.s and other health professionals to reduce blood stream infections related to PICC line insertion and management. METHODS: Using specific inclusion criteria, the authors searched for scholarly reviewed articles related to PICC lines, infection, and adulthood. RESULTS: The search produced 2237 articles, from which the authors selected 35 for review, in addition to 6 articles identified in the reference lists of articles not selected. The authors investigated 6 topics related to infection control in PICCs among nonimmunocompromised adults: securement devices, staff education, needleless systems, site preparation, maximum sterile barriers, and antimicrobial patches. CONCLUSION: In the long run, proactive continuing education is less expensive than the cost of complications caused by postprocedure infections. Although further research is needed, specific strategies reported in the literature included prepping the skin using chlorhexidine and antimicrobial patches to reduce the microorganisms in the area. These steps should be followed by maximum sterile barriers. Needleless connectors and positive-pressure valves were found to be more effective than the alternatives, and proper securement with self-adhesive anchoring devices was found to be more effective than suturing for reducing blood stream infections.

Radiation biology and protection.

To protect themselves, their patients and their coworkers, radiologic technologists should regularly refresh and reinforce their understanding of key radiation biology and protection principles. This article reviews the concepts of radiation physics, human biology and radiation protection strategies, with emphasis on how historical events and developing research affect radiation protection understanding and practice.

Leadership theory and motivation of medical imaging employees.

*This literature review explores how transactional, transformational, and charismatic leadership theories might be applied in a typical stressful hypothetical department situation. *Transactional department leaders motivate employees using extrinsic rewards, encouraging them to do what is needed to get the minimal results with no encouragement for higher levels of thinking. *Transformational department leaders motivate employees by transforming their beliefs and values to be more in alignment with the organization's values and goals. This alignment helps create higher levels of intrinsic motivation. *Charismatic leaders exhibit the same behaviors as transformational leaders to motivate employees; however; because of their specific characteristics, their effectiveness can be limited to only times of distress or crisis. The situation in the particular department determines which leadership theory is likely to be most successful.

Rural radiology services in Texas: an assessment in quality.

Health professionals share a common interest in improving the quality of healthcare provided to the notion's underserved citizens, many who live in rural areas. This article examines the quality of radiology services found in rural Texas hospitals as reported by radiology managers through online survey research in terms of staffing, radiologist availability, and quality control measures. A 22 question survey was developed and 72 of 106 possible responses were obtained for a 67.9% response rate representing 45% of the total population. Texas is a licensure state for radiologic technologists. Texas rural counties with fewer than 50 thousand citizens have only 9% of MRTs, 10% of LMRTs, and 12% of NCTs licensed to practice radiology imaging. Licensing all three levels of technologists through the some administrative body could result in more standard educational and training requirements, thereby increasing the quality of care given by these individuals. Patients seen at lower-volume rural facilities benefit from convenient scheduling and lower prices and are beginning to see faster reporting with the prevalence of teleradiology and voice recognition dictation.

Admission requirements for radiography programs.

CONTEXT: Radiography program applicants far outnumber available class capacity in many programs. Educational accountability requires that programs justify their admission practices, work to retain all qualified students and evaluate their attrition rates. Thus, radiography programs are interested in identifying the best candidates for admission. PURPOSE: The purpose of this small survey study was to document admission requirements of entry-level programs in radiography accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) in Oklahoma and Texas. METHODS: A 14-question survey was sent to 45 JRCERT-accredited entry-level radiography programs in Oklahoma and Texas. The survey included questions concerning program demographics, admission criteria and admission practices. RESULTS: Cumulative grade point average, interviews, successful completion of math and science courses, and performance on standardized tests were the most commonly used admission criteria, although no criteria were used by all of the programs surveyed. CONCLUSION: The current study is the first step toward identifying the most effective admission criteria for radiography programs. Future research should examine the correlation of specific admission criteria with program success (ie, program retention, program completion and professional certification).