A.        Scheduling

 

            All studies will be scheduled by a receptionist.  Questions regarding proper sequencing of or indications for a study must be referred to the radiologist.  All emergency studies must be performed within a reasonable amount of time as agreed upon by the radiologist and referring physician.

 

B.        Preparation

 

            The individual scheduling the studies is responsible for giving instructions to the caller regarding preparation.

 

C.        Requisitions

 

            Requisitions must include an appropriate "Reason for Study" (see Appendix A)

 

D.        Medical Charts

 

            Medical charts must accompany all in-patients studied in the Department of Radiology (General Radiology, Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, Angiography/Special Procedures and Nuclear Medicine).

 

E.         Master X-Ray Folders

 

            The patient's complete master x-ray folder should be available, whenever possible, prior to beginning an examination.  Master folders are to be requested prior to the day of scheduled studies and a film librarian will be assigned to pull master folders that evening.  A file clerk will be assigned to pull master folders for add-on patients each day.  Technologists from each section shall bring folders to their section by the time the patient arrives.

 

F.         Paperwork

 

            The receptionist or technologist is responsible for the preparation of all of the patient's paperwork and for keeping a complete log (patient name, medical record number, indication if in- or out-patient, and study performed).

 

G.        Supplies

 

            The assigned technologists are responsible for keeping their sections well stocked with necessary supplies at all times.

 

H.        Equipment Cleanliness

 

            All technologists are responsible for the daily maintenance of the cleanliness of their equipment.

 

I.          Equipment Problems

 

            The Technical Leaders are responsible for reporting all equipment problems to the physician Section Chiefs or Division Heads and for calling the repair service.  A lack of response within 1 hour from the repair person must be reported to the Manager.

 

J.         Reception

 

            All patients and their families are to be received as promptly and courteously as possible.  The technologist introduces him/herself and provides an explanation of what the study entails.

 

K.        Attending the Patient

 

            No patient is to be left unattended if they are an infant, child or mentally incompetent.

 

L.         Infants

 

            Infants are to be kept warm.

 

M.       IV's and Oxygen

 

            All problems regarding IV's or oxygen tanks will be called to the immediate attention of a Radiology Department nurse.

 

N.        Preliminary Reports

 

            Whenever possible, a resident or attending radiologist or their designee will call or send a preliminary report to the referring physicians of out-patients, if the findings acutely influence therapeutic decisions, or if specifically requested.

 

O.        Reading of Studies

 

            All cases presented by the end of the routine workday, with the exception of those whose previous films are necessary for comparison but not immediately available, will be dictated by the end of a given day.

 

P.         Female Patients

 

            All adolescent and adult female patients having imaging studies which require ionizing radiation must be asked whether there is any chance they may be pregnant and the date of their last menstrual period (LMP).  If the LMP suggests the possibility of pregnancy and the patient denies the possibility, they must sign to that affect on the requisition or on specific departmental forms.

 

Q.        Electronic Signature

 

            Reports will be promptly signed by the staff radiologists, according to the institutional policy for electronic signature.

 

R.        Checking of Plain Films on Out-Patients

 

1.         If the patient is taking the films out of the Department, the technologist should tell the radiologist that the films need to be reported. The patient’s master folder should be available at the time of dictation.

2.         Chest or abdominal films done after the last pick-up of the day in the Klein building on patients with an acute history should be checked by a radiologist before the patient leaves the Department.

3.         Any out-patient study labeled “Stat” or “Please call with results,” regardless of the location the study is done, should be shown to a radiologist before the patient leaves the Department.

 

S.         Emergency CT Studies

 

Any CT study performed on a patient from the Emergency Room shall be handed directly to a radiologist by the CT technologist.

 

T.         Diabetic Patients
           

"Any diabetic patient who needs to be NPO after midnight for a study, should be scheduled no later than 10:00 a.m. the next morning.  The patient should consult his/her doctor regarding medications."