scholarly journals A clinical audit of anatomical side marker use in a paediatric medical imaging department

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Barry ◽  
Saravana Kumar ◽  
Rebecca Linke ◽  
Emma Dawes
PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242594
Author(s):  
Lilian Chung ◽  
Saravana Kumar ◽  
Joanne Oldfield ◽  
Maureen Phillips ◽  
Megan Stratfold

Background The presence of a radiopaque or digital anatomical side marker (ASM) is an important diagnostic feature on radiographs and should be a routine feature on every radiographic image. Despite its importance, research has indicated numerous instances where ASMs were absent which have the potential to lead to adverse events. To date, few studies have systematically examined the use of ASMs in clinical practice and explored medical imaging professionals’ perspectives on ASM use. This research aimed to address this knowledge gap. Methods This investigation was conducted in two stages. Stage 1 involved a retrospective clinical audit of 421 randomly selected radiographs within 12-months at a pediatric medical imaging department. The data were analyzed for overall presence and type of marker use. Stage 2 comprised of semi-structured interviews with 11 radiographers to garner their perspectives on ASM use, and barriers and enablers to their use in clinical practice. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Results The overall presence of ASMs (radiopaque and digital) was observed on 99 per cent of radiographs. There was a noticeable shift towards the use of digital (78.8 per cent) compared to radiopaque ASMs (20.2 per cent), highlighting the growing trend towards using ASM in post-processing. A handful of images (N = 4) did not include any ASMs. Semi-structured interviews revealed multifaceted barriers (time, infection precautions, and patient factors) and few enablers (professionalism, legal requirement) for ASM use. Conclusion This investigation, informed by quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, has shed new light on an important area of radiography practice. While missing ASMs were a small feature, there continue to remain opportunities where best practice standards can be improved. The increasing use of digital ASMs potentially highlights a shift in clinical practice standards.


Radiography ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. S33-S42 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Challen ◽  
L.-F. Low ◽  
M.F. McEntee

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunhua Qi

Objective: To explore the application of standardized measures in clinical teaching of medical imaging department. Methods: Forty-eight medical interns in Department of Medical Imaging of our hospital from February 2018 to May 2019 were selected as research objects. They were divided into 2 groups according to random number table method, with 24 cases in each group. Routine education management was performed in clinical teaching for control group, standardized measure management was performed in clinical teaching for observational group. Performance assessment before and after intervention was compared between two groups of medical students. Results: Before intervention, there was no significant difference in assessment result between two groups of medical students (P>0.05). Assessment result after intervention was higher than before intervention in two groups of medical students. Observational group was higher than control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: Implementation of standardized measures in clinical teaching of medical imaging department could significantly improve assessment result of medical students, and its application can be considered in clinical teaching.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandra Rekha Makanjee ◽  
Anne-Marie Bergh ◽  
Deon Xu ◽  
Drishti Sarswat

Abstract Background There is emerging interest in person-centred care within a short-lived yet complex medical imaging encounter. This study explored this event from the viewpoint of patients referred for an imaging examination, with a focus on the person and their person-al space. Methods We used convenience sampling to conduct semi-structured interviews with 21 patients in a private medical imaging practice in Australia. The first phase of data analysis was conducted deductively, using the six elements of the person-centred, patient-journey framework of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare: transition in; engagement; decisions; well-being; experience; and transition out. This was followed by inductive content analysis to identify overarching themes that span a patient’s journey into, through and out of an imaging encounter. Results The transition-in phase began with an appointment and the first point of contact with the imaging department at reception. Engagement focused on patient-radiographer interactions and explanations to the patient on what was going to happen. Decisions related primarily to radiographers’ decisions on how to conduct a particular examination and how to get patient cooperation. Participants’ well-being related to their appreciation of gentle treatment; they also referred to past negative experiences that had made a lasting impression. Transitioning out of the imaging encounter included the sending of the results to the referring medical practitioner. Person-al vulnerabilities emerged as a cross-cutting theme. Patients’ vulnerability, for which they needed reassurance, pertained to uncertainties about the investigation and the possible results. Healthcare professionals were vulnerable because of patient expectations of a certain demeanour and of pressure to perform optimal quality investigations. Lastly, patients’ personal lives, concerns and pressures – their person-al ‘baggage’ – shaped their experience of the imaging encounter. Conclusion To add value to the quality of the service they deliver, radiography practitioners should endeavour to create a person-al space for clients. Creating these spaces is complex as patients are not in a position to judge the procedures required by technical imaging protocols and the quality control of equipment. A reflective tool is proposed for radiographers to use in discussions with their team and its leaders on improving person-centred care and the quality of services in their practice.


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