The case of the pricing predicament

Dye Under the Supervision of A Physician?

Ohio- Yes

Indiana- Yes

Limited x-ray machine operators; not permitted

West Virginia- Yes

Under federal rules and regulations, each state has the ability to set state laws accordingly for medical professionals, including Radiologic Technologists (RT’s). Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia all allow their Radiologic Technologists to administer contrast media or dye, under a physician’s supervision. For those that are limited x-ray machine operators in Indiana, are not permitted to administer contrast media or dye. As of now there is not a need to change how they operate as all three states permit administering contrast media or dye (Glacier Valley Medical Education, 2019).

6

Recommendations: Training in Contrast Administration, Hiring Extra Personnel, and the Costs

Patient Safety

Reactions to Contrast Media

Classes

Seminars

Training in administrating contrast media or dye by Radiologic Technologists is something that they require more states and medical facilities to have before hiring an individual. Using Iodinated and gadolinium-base to intravenous inject the substance into a patients vein for imaging, can be dangerous, if there is a reaction to the dye. "However, reactions to contrast media do occur and can be life threatening. Therefore, it is critical for faculty and staff to know how reactions to contrast agents manifest and how to treat them promptly.” (Beckett, MD, Moniarity, MD, & Langer, MD, 2015, para.1). Giving the Radiologic Technologists the proper training and requiring them to become certified before hiring, can help eliminate unnecessary patient harm. Hiring additional personnel to administer contrast media or dye, can cost the medical facility extra money that they can avoid by training their RT’s to perform the duties. This can be turned into continuing education, or to become a requirement during the achievement of their degree (Beckett, MD, Moniarity, MD, & Langer, MD, 2015).

7

Conclusion

Scope of Practice for Radiologic Technologists

Education

License

Certificates

Ohio- Indiana- West Virginia

The scope of practice or practice standards for Radiologic Technologists (RT’s) are similar throughout America, but each state can vary on the type of education, licenses, certificates, and continuing education (CE) requirements. According to American Society of Radiologic Technologists (2017), “The practice of radiography is performed by health care professionals responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for diagnostic, therapeutic or research purposes. A radiographer performs radiographic procedures at the request of and for interpretation by a licensed practitioner.“ Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia all require their RT’s to become certified through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) certified, to be hired at a medical facility. And to complete the certification with the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). For example, Ohio and West Virginia require their RT’s having a certain amount of hours for continuing education every two years, as where Indiana does not.Some state does not require their RT‘s to have any form of licenses or to complete continuing education requirements. Properly training RT’s to administer contrast media or dye, can ultimately save patients’ lives, as some have a reaction to the dye (Glacier Valley Medical Education, 2019).

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References

American Society of Radiologic Technologists. (2017). The Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.asrt.org/docs/default- source/practice-standards-published/ps_rad.pdf?sfvrsn=13e176d0_18

Beckett, MD, K. R., Moniarity, MD, A. K., & Langer, MD, J. M. (2015, October). Safe Use of Contrast Media: What the Radiologist Needs to Know. RadioGraphics, 35(6), doi:https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/full/10.1148/rg.2015150033

Glacier Valley Medical Education. (2019). State Licensing Boards for Radiologic Technology. Retrieved from https://www.glaciermedicaled.com/index.php?page=State+Licensing&parentPageId=17

References

HealthCarePathway. (2019). Radiologic Technologist Schools and Certification in Indiana. Retrieved from https://www.healthcarepathway.com/radiologic-technologist/radiologic-technologist-schools-indiana.html

Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists. (2019). The Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists, Inc. Retrieved from https://isort.org/

Indiana State Department of Health. (2019). Medical Radiology Services Program. Retrieved from https://www.in.gov/isdh/23279.htm

Justia. (2019). 2017 West Virginia Code Chapter 30. Professions and Occupations. Article 23. Radiologic Technologists. §30-23- 10. Scope of Practice for a Radiologic Technologist. Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/codes/west- virginia /2017/chapter- 30/article-23/section-30-23-10/