Improving Compliance with a Nurse-Driven Protocol for Unfractionated Heparin Infusions in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism.

Background: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is a high-risk medication that can cause bleeding and/or thrombotic complications if not managed appropriately. Between January and July 2019, our institution experienced a high number of patient safety events related to UFH infusion for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Purpose: The aim of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to prevent these safety events by improving compliance with our institution's nurse-driven VTE UFH infusion protocol.

Factors Affecting Gonadal Shielding Use Among Technologists in California.

Purpose: To assess the patient gonadal shielding practices of radiologic technologists in the state of California.

Methods: A survey invitation was sent via email to registered radiologic technologists in California to collect data to determine whether there were significant associations between gonadal shielding practices and various categorical variables, including patient sex, patient age, body part, availability of gonadal shielding protocols, availability of gonadal shields, and supervisor encouragement.

Results: There was a significant association between gonadal shielding protocol availability and supervisor encouragement of using gonadal shielding ( = .

Trauma-Informed Care in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy to Reduce Retraumatization.

Purpose: To provide an overview of trauma-informed care, including the neurobiology of trauma, interventions to reduce retraumatizing patients who have experienced trauma, and implications of trauma-informed care in medical imaging and radiation therapy.

Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases related to the purpose of this project resulted in the collection of 12 peer-reviewed journal articles. Two conference papers, 1 behavioral science textbook, 1 trauma neurobiology textbook, 1 professional conference presentation, and 1 governmental report also were reviewed to complement the journal articles.

Analysis of Peer-Reviewed Articles in ASRT Scholarly Journals.

Purpose: To analyze peer-reviewed articles in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) scholarly journals, and , and identify types of research and collaborative efforts among top producers.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted by searching the and archives on the ASRT website to evaluate peer-reviewed articles from 2011 to 2021. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was created to document the types of research being published in the ASRT journals, as well as the number of authors for each peer-reviewed article, education levels of authors, collaborative efforts of top producers of scholarship, and mean authorship index of top producers.

COVID-19 Contingency Planning Among Radiologic Science Programs.

Purpose: To examine radiologic science programs' contingency planning related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, educators in magnetic resonance, medical dosimetry, radiation therapy, and radiography programs were surveyed to identify curricular changes, policy implementation, and financial implications related to pandemic recovery efforts. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics and percentages.

Shift Work and Mental Health Among Radiologic Technologists.

Purpose: To determine the relationships between mental health (depression and anxiety) and engaging in shift work, working weekend shifts, and taking call for radiologic technologists, and to identify coping strategies used to manage depression and anxiety.

Methods: Validated instruments were used to measure depression and anxiety levels among a sample of radiologic technologists who were members of Advanced Health Education Center. The participants also identified their primary work shift and their frequency of working weekends and taking call.

Anesthetic Management of Gas Embolism During Rigid Bronchoscopy with Argon Plasma Coagulation: A Case Report.

Gas embolism is a procedure-related complication and has been reported during endoscopy, surgical procedures, intravenous catheterization, positive pressure ventilation, and a multitude of scenarios. Recognizing the potential for gas embolus and a high level of suspicion are paramount to timely intervention to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. There is such rapid decompensation that only clinical suspicion can guide timely intervention; it is not uncommon for gas embolus to be diagnosed postmortem.

PAs and NPs improve patient care and productivity in a radiology consult practice.

Objective: To evaluate the effects on efficiency and patient care of the addition of physician assistants (PAs) and NPs to the abdominal radiology consult service.

Methods: We obtained radiologist productivity and patient care metrics for 3 months before and 3 months after the integration of PAs and NPs into our consult service.

Results: Integrating PAs and NPs into the workflow led to a significant increase in mean RVUs/shift (15.

Reducing Pediatric Patients' Dose by Manipulating Radiographic Projections.

Purpose: To determine whether radiologic technologists are manipulating projections to lower patient dose in routine pediatric radiography examinations.

Methods: Using a descriptive survey approach, members from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists with a primary registration in radiography were randomly selected and invited to share their experiences using alternative projections during routine pediatric radiography examinations.

Results: For this study, 404 completed responses were analyzed.

Assessment of C-arm Confidence Among ASRT Graduate Bridge Program Members.

Purpose: To identify the amount of C-arm preparation or instruction that recent graduates received in their radiography programs before starting clinical rotations and to determine whether completing more rotations increased their confidence in operating C-arm equipment.

Methods: Members of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists' Graduate Bridge program who indicated a primary pathway in radiography received an invitation to complete the C-arm confidence survey and self-report their C-arm experiences during clinical education.

Results: A third of the participants indicated they received preparation or instruction on C-arm equipment before beginning clinical rotations, with the majority of those indicating they had completed a C-arm laboratory.

Gadolinium Deposition: A Study Review.

Purpose: To analyze literature specific to gadolinium deposition and inform medical imaging professionals about potential risks of contrast retention related to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations as well as alternative imaging techniques that reduce or eliminate the need for gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs).

Methods: Peer-reviewed journal articles were collected using PubMed, Academic Search Complete, and Science Direct electronic databases. Information from an MR textbook and reports from various organizations complemented the scholarly sources.

Comprehensive Quality Assessment in Clinical Ethics.

Scholars and professional organizations in bioethics describe various approaches to "quality assessment" in clinical ethics. Although much of this work represents significant contributions to the literature, it is not clear that there is a robust and shared understanding of what constitutes "quality" in clinical ethics, what activities should be measured when tracking clinical ethics work, and what metrics should be used when measuring those activities. Further, even the most robust quality assessment efforts to date are idiosyncratic, in that they represent evaluation of single activities or domains of clinical ethics activities, or a range of activities at a single hospital or healthcare system.

Exploring the effect of PAs on physician trainee learning: An interview study.

Background: Physician assistants (PAs) often have been embedded in academic medical centers to help ensure an adequate patient care workforce while supporting compliance with work-hour restrictions for residents and fellows (also called trainees). Limited studies have explored the effect of PAs on trainee learning. This qualitative study explored, from the perspective of physician faculty and PAs, how PAs working in the clinical learning environment can enhance or hinder trainee learning.

Current Status and Future Directions for Screening Patients at High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer.

It is well known that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a high mortality rate. Despite progress in understanding the biology and genetic basis of this disease, life expectancy has changed minimally in the last 50 years. This article highlights the importance of screening patients at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer and reviews current methods as well as methods in development for pancreatic cancer early detection and surveillance.