We have a similar situation going on at our institution at the moment. The NIXR is trying to be introduced but the ED got it wrong when they put in the nurse procedures the comment "if in doubt x-ray it"
Needless to say the fan was on full blast......
I think if the radiographer profession is going to grow and not be swept up by other professions, we need to expand our role and take more responsibilty in our job. We have had it too easy too long, with not having to think that hard and then running to the radiologist for back up as soon as things get slightly out of the norm.
If we as a profession really want to put a hold on the whole NIXR concept, (which many rads want to do) we will have to step up to the plate and start clinically assessing the patients to determine which x-rays we are going to take. It will have to become, clinician/nurse/patient thinks that the patient might need an x-ray and sends the patient to us, we then decide which and how the x-rays will be taken and then provide an interim report. Obviously there will need to be additional training needed by the current MRS's and more will ahve to be introduced into the universities' course work, but if it will guarantee the continuation and expansion of our profession, then it will have to be done.
The biggest issue that will confront an expansion of roles such as this, is the treading on the toes of the radiologists. This will start to blur the lines between tech and Dr, and DR's don't tend to take too kindly to this.
Are we up to it ?
Interesting times ahead, but we will have to determine where we are going to go soon as NIXR's are well and truly getting their claws in.
Dieter
At 12:49 PM 13/11/2002 +0800, you wrote:
From: Rob Hart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The following is a small extract from a larger discussion on the ACEM list in relation to nurse-initiated XR (NIXR). Interesting reading! My posting is at the bottom, with the ED director of a large Eastern States hospital's reply above.>Brilliant > >In fact I did suggest at St Matyrs when NIXR came in & there were >problems with a colleague encouraging them to ask for multiple areas in >case they missed the wrong one & a lot of problems with suboptimal >imaging (half of a Jones # on ankle xray, injured wrist right on the >edge of a 30cm long film of forarm etc) that the nurses should stop >at recognising probable need for xr and ask the radiographer to >determine which xrays to take. > >It was the radiographers who refused. > >Similarly, when I managed (took a year!) to introduce provisional >xray reports by the clinician so the radiologist would know when we'd >screwed up & notify us early, I tried to persuade the radiographers >into the "redspot" system. They were a really nice bunch of people, but >chickened out - head radiographer says that's giving them clinical >responsibility & they don't want it. We had at that stage a lot of >shifts covered only by juniors; I think the system is useful there. > > > >>At 04:36 PM 12/11/2002 +0800, Rob Hart wrote: >>Dear All >> >>Perhaps I can put in a spoke here for the radiology depts. I am hopeful >>that all, with or without NIXR, rely on the professional opinion of >>their medical imaging staff (radiographers as were) in determining the >>relevant imaging to be performed. I know when I was at Royal Perth ED >>for 5 years as a diagnostic radiographer, we considered ourselves part >>of the decision-making process even though we are not entitled to >>"order" (we prefer "request", but let's not get pedantic!) imaging exams >>ourselves. In many cases we have seen many more of a particular #, >>strain, sprain or other musculoskeketal injury than the refering intern >>or RN/CN. This applies both to initial presentation, and to follow-up >>zapping based on the results of the first series performed. Or is this >>as polarised an issue (Dr initiated/NIXR) as it appears from the >>outside? >> >>Regards to all >> >>Rob Hart +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= This message is being broadcast by AIRNEWS, the Australian Institute of Radiography list Server Send messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For assistance send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Commands should be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Opinions expressed on this list are not necessarily those of the moderator, his assistants or those of the A.I.R.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= This message is being broadcast by AIRNEWS, the Australian Institute of Radiography list Server Send messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For assistance send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Commands should be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Opinions expressed on this list are not necessarily those of the moderator, his assistants or those of the A.I.R.
