Computed Tomography (CT): Difference between revisions

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=== Clinical Compliance ===
=== Clinical Compliance ===


'''Accidents/Incidents:''' As general policy, MITS students will comply with the policies and procedures with the clinical site at which they are assigned. It is the policy that there be written reports of all unusual incidents/accidents.
'''Incidents:''' As general policy, CT students will comply with the policies and procedures with the clinical site at which they are assigned. It is the policy that there be written reports of all unusual incidents/accidents.
An incident is an unusual occurrence which is not consistent with the routine operation of the institution or clinical rotation which may or did cause harm, involves possible negligence, requires some immediate consideration or action by a supervisor.
An incident is an unusual occurrence which is not consistent with the routine operation of the institution or clinical rotation which may or did cause harm, involves possible negligence, requires some immediate consideration or action by a supervisor.


A student enrolled in a program in the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences is expected to provide prompt, complete and accurate written documentation of the details related to any accidents/incidents, thus enabling corrective actions and/or programs for prevention. The program adheres to the Infection Control Policy for University Hospitals and Clinics. Students with signs and symptoms of an infectious process should report immediately to the program director for appropriate referral.
A student is expected to provide prompt, complete and accurate written documentation of the details related to any accidents/incidents, thus enabling corrective actions and/or programs for prevention. Students with signs and symptoms of an infectious process should report immediately to the program director for appropriate referral.


All accidents/incidents must immediately be reported to the technical supervisor or immediate person in charge. Proper report forms must be completed.
All incidents must immediately be reported to the technical supervisor or immediate person in charge. Proper report forms must be completed.


'''Equipment Use and Operation:''' The professions in Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences employ the use of highly specialized equipment. Any equipment failure or equipment that is not in proper working order must be reported immediately to the technical supervisor. Do not place any calls to equipment representatives. Do not attempt to repair.
'''Equipment Use and Operation:''' The professions in Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences employ the use of highly specialized equipment. Any equipment failure or equipment that is not in proper working order must be reported immediately to the technical supervisor. Do not place any calls to equipment representatives. Do not attempt to repair.
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It is each student’s responsibility to adhere to the following guidance for radiation protection:
It is each student’s responsibility to adhere to the following guidance for radiation protection:
# Students must practice safe radiation and protection criteria and practice the principles of ALARA at all times. These are found in the UNMC Radiation Safety Manual available online at www.unmc.edu/CRSO .
# Students must practice safe radiation and protection criteria and practice the principles of ALARA at all times. These are found in the UNMC Radiation Safety Manual available online at www.unmc.edu/ehs.
# The principles of decreased time and increased distance and shielding shall be employed when working with radiation.
# The principles of decreased time and increased distance and shielding shall be employed when working with radiation.
# The spread of any accidental contamination from radioactive materials will be decreased by frequent personnel monitoring and hand washing.
# The spread of any accidental contamination from radioactive materials will be decreased by frequent personnel monitoring and hand washing.
# Radiation exposure is measured by personnel monitoring device; therefore, they must be worn at all times within the department. Personnel monitoring devices are to be worn at the collar. It is the student’s responsibility to exchange badges on a quarterly basis with person designated by the RSO for each program.
# Radiation exposure is measured by personnel monitoring device; therefore, they must be worn at all times within the department. Personnel monitoring devices are to be worn at the collar. It is the student’s responsibility to exchange badges on a quarterly basis with person designated by the Radiation Safety Office (RSO) for each program.
# If your personnel monitoring device is lost or left where it can be exposed unknowingly, contact the respective program director immediately.
# If your personnel monitoring device is lost or left where it can be exposed unknowingly, contact the respective program director immediately.
# In accordance with the philosophy of keeping exposures ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), the Radiation Safety Office has established levels at which the dosimetry company will provide immediate notification of a higher than normal reading. These notification levels are presently as follows:
# In accordance with the philosophy of keeping exposures ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), the Radiation Safety Office has established levels at which the dosimetry company will provide immediate notification of a higher than normal reading. These notification levels are presently as follows:
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The Radiation Safety Committee may alter these values based on regulatory or departmental concerns. When an individual exceeds any one of these levels, a follow-up survey may be conducted to determine if a reduction in dose can be reasonably achieved.
The Radiation Safety Committee may alter these values based on regulatory or departmental concerns. When an individual exceeds any one of these levels, a follow-up survey may be conducted to determine if a reduction in dose can be reasonably achieved.


For further information regarding personnel monitoring of ionizing radiation, refer to the [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/Manuals/RSM2014updated.pdf UNMC Radiation Safety Manual] or contact the Radiation Safety Office.
For further information regarding personnel monitoring of ionizing radiation, refer to the [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/Manuals/RSM_2019.pdf UNMC Radiation Safety Manual] or contact the Radiation Safety Office.


If a student becomes pregnant, she is encouraged to voluntarily consult with the program director concerning the most appropriate procedure to assure that exposure to the fetus is less than 0.5 rem (refer to Pregnancy Policy below).
If a student becomes pregnant, she is encouraged to voluntarily consult with the program director concerning the most appropriate procedure to assure that exposure to the fetus is less than 0.5 rem (refer to Pregnancy Policy below).
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The pregnancy policy is a voluntary program intended to provide safety for pregnant students and their fetus who are considered occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. In the event of a suspected or confirmed pregnancy, it is the responsibility of the student to advise her program director in writing of her condition. Pregnancy will not affect the student’s enrollment in the academic courses in the program. However, due to the physical requirements placed upon the student in the clinical courses and assignments, and in order to comply with 180 NAC 004.13 (10 CFR Part 20.1208) to keep the radiation exposure to the fetus as low as reasonably achievable (no more than 500 mrem during the entire gestation period), the following procedures will apply:
The pregnancy policy is a voluntary program intended to provide safety for pregnant students and their fetus who are considered occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. In the event of a suspected or confirmed pregnancy, it is the responsibility of the student to advise her program director in writing of her condition. Pregnancy will not affect the student’s enrollment in the academic courses in the program. However, due to the physical requirements placed upon the student in the clinical courses and assignments, and in order to comply with 180 NAC 004.13 (10 CFR Part 20.1208) to keep the radiation exposure to the fetus as low as reasonably achievable (no more than 500 mrem during the entire gestation period), the following procedures will apply:
# The student may voluntarily report suspected or confirmed pregnancy to the program director. At that time the UNMC/The Nebraska Medical Center policies and procedures and the MITS Student Policies and Procedures Manual pregnancy policy will be reviewed with the student. Once the student has elected to declare suspected or confirmed pregnancy, the student should:
# The student may voluntarily report suspected or confirmed pregnancy to the program director. At that time the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine policies and procedures and the CT Program Specific Student Policies and Procedures Manual pregnancy policy will be reviewed with the student. Once the student has elected to declare suspected or confirmed pregnancy, the student should:
# Complete the “UNIVERSITY of NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER DECLARATION OF PREGNANCY” [[:File:Unmc-declaration-of-pregnancy.pdf|form]] and forward it to the Radiation Safety Office.  
# Complete the “UNIVERSITY of NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER DECLARATION OF PREGNANCY” [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/rso10-declared-pregnant-worker.pdf form] and forward it to the Radiation Safety Office.  
# The Radiation Safety Office will determine the estimated radiation dose from time of conception to the date of declaration based on dosimetry records and calculate the permissible remaining dose to the embryo/fetus for the remainder of the pregnancy. (See [[:File:Unmc-declaration-of-pregnancy.pdf|form]]).
# The Radiation Safety Office will determine the estimated radiation dose from time of conception to the date of declaration based on dosimetry records and calculate the permissible remaining dose to the embryo/fetus for the remainder of the pregnancy. (See [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/rso10-declared-pregnant-worker.pdf form]).
# Upon review of the findings and recommendations of the Radiation Safety Officer or Medical Radiation Physicist, clinical assignments will be reviewed. Clinical assignments will only be altered if the fetus received the maximum permissible dose as stated by 180 NAC 004.13 (10 CFR Part 20.1208). Any clinical competencies not completed for reasons related to pregnancy must be successfully completed prior to graduation.
# Upon review of the findings and recommendations of the Radiation Safety Officer or Medical Radiation Physicist, clinical assignments will be reviewed. Clinical assignments will only be altered if the fetus received the maximum permissible dose as stated by 180 NAC 004.13 (10 CFR Part 20.1208). Any clinical competencies not completed for reasons related to pregnancy must be successfully completed prior to graduation.
# Provide the program director with written indication of intent to:
# Provide the program director with written indication of intent to:
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## continuing in the program as a full-time student, and/or
## continuing in the program as a full-time student, and/or
## any limitations placed upon the student while enrolled in the program.
## any limitations placed upon the student while enrolled in the program.
# A student may also voluntarily withdraw their declaration of pregnancy at any time. (See [[:File:Unmc-declaration-of-pregnancy.pdf|form]].)
# A student may also voluntarily withdraw their declaration of pregnancy at any time. (See [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/rso10-declared-pregnant-worker.pdf form].)
# Upon review of the findings and recommendations of the Radiation Safety Officer or Medical Radiation Physicist, clinical assignments will be reviewed. Clinical assignments will only be altered if the fetus received the maximum permissible dose as stated by 180 NAC 004.13 (10 CFR Part 20.1208). Any clinical competencies not completed for reasons related to pregnancy must be successfully completed prior to graduation.
# Upon review of the findings and recommendations of the Radiation Safety Officer or Medical Radiation Physicist, clinical assignments will be reviewed. Clinical assignments will only be altered if the fetus received the maximum permissible dose as stated by 180 NAC 004.13 (10 CFR Part 20.1208). Any clinical competencies not completed for reasons related to pregnancy must be successfully completed prior to graduation.