Open Letter on the COVID19 Pandemic… What We Are Doing to Help
Marilyn Sackett, MEd, RT(R), FASRT President/CEO Advanced Health Education Center MEDRelief Staffing Houston, TX These are unprecedented times and we are changing... Read more.
Public Health Leadership Void in Covid19 Pandemic
No, I am not blasting our government. I am speaking about our local public health response. I have never seen so much disagreement and lack of continuity. Social... Read more.
The Plague Lurking on Your Lead Aprons
We can thank the Coronavirus for making us rethink our hygiene and environment a little more than usual. Have you given thought to how many germs are living in... Read more.
Radiology Community Shares Coronavirus Clinical Practices
We have compiled question and answers regarding coronavirus clinical practices from radiology community leaders and medical imaging forums. Here’s what people... Read more.
No masks but here are 100+ products and tips to help protect you against COVID-19
The CDC says there is proof that disinfecting your home and workspace properly can help fight back against the flu and coronavirus. Community members can practice... Read more.
Am I Going to Get the Coronavirus?
This is a very important question for all of us today. Personally, I have a family member who has respiratory disease which makes it imperative that I not get exposed... Read more.
Walmart Adds Imaging Services to Second Super Center
Walmart’s first super center for health care services opened September 13, 2019 in Dallas, Georgia. This new “Walmart Health” center is 10,000 square feet... Read more.
Hats Off to MRI Safety Personnel
Although MRI has never been my specialty, I am a member of a MRI Safety group on Facebook and receive posts from them on a daily basis. The group requires approval... Read more.
Radiology Life… Humor that will brighten your day!
As a technologist when I hear “great shot” or “beautiful sunrise” I do not necessarily think about basketball or the sun coming up in the morning. We were... Read more.
In Case You Missed It – Top Blogs of 2019
AHEC blogs experienced 25% growth in readership in 2019 with 14,439 blog views and 10,413 unique visitors from 51 different countries. Our blogs have been quoted... Read more.
Surgery In the Dirt
In Iraq in 2007 five hundred pounds of explosives detonated beneath Combat Medic Greg Dotson’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle. His unit soldiers, trained by Greg, pulled... Read more.
Welcome to RSNA 2019: See Possibilities – Together
Last week was busy and cold as AHEC representatives joined thousands of attendees from around the world in Chicago at RSNA-the 105th Scientific Assembly and annual... Read more.
Should We Abandon Routine TB Testing for Healthcare Workers?
It’s been a requirement for all my career. Is it still necessary? A new report has revealed that tuberculosis (TB) has become so rare among healthcare workers... Read more.
Doctors File Lawsuits Against Hospital for Failure to Provide Fluoroscopic Radiation Safety
In what may be the first lawsuits of their kind, 3 surgeons have filed lawsuits alleging a hospital’s radiation safety practices were inadequate and that radiation... Read more.
How Prepared Are You for an Active Shooter at Work?
If an Active Shooter Situation can happen in Midland-0dessa, TX, it can happen anywhere! Midland and Odessa are connected cities and the recent site of random,... Read more.
Bracing for Medicare’s Appropriate Imaging Rule
Acronyms to know: PAMA Protecting Access to Medicare Act CDSM Clinical Decision Support Mechanism AUC Appropriate Use Criteria ACR American... Read more.
Are You Fluent in Swearing?
Do you think swearing isn’t big or clever? Think again. A study done by psychologists at Marist College has concluded that the use of swear words is a sign of... Read more.
Robocalls in Healthcare
What happens when you receive over 4,000 automated calls in less than 2 hours? April 30, 2018,9:30am-11:30am, it happened at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA Recently,... Read more.
Radiography: Continuing Education Requirements and Options
Are you looking for more information on continuing your education as a radiologic technologist? Even though it’s your sole responsibility as a radiological technologist... Read more.
Advancing Your Career as an Ultrasound Technologist
In the ever-growing field of ultrasound (sonography), there is a plethora of options you can choose to advance your career. These jobs include specializing in the... Read more.
The Disengagement Epidemic: Who Can Save Us?
The increasing rate of change and corresponding degree of complexity in the work environment is taking a significant toll on the American workforce. Recently, I... Read more.
The Surgical Attire Debate Goes On…
Be it common sense or what we learned in school, it is commonly accepted that surgical attire limits the surgical patient’s exposure to organisms, aiding in the... Read more.
Emergency Ultrasound Training for Quality Patient Care
One of the most important medical innovations of the last century is the ultrasound. First used in 1956, the sonogram quickly evolved into a useful diagnostic tool... Read more.
Who Is the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine?
The Mayo Clinic announces the end of the use of live animals in emergency medicine training as the Physicians committee for Responsible Medicine claims it is the... Read more.
Ways to Take Your Ultrasound Expertise to the Next Level
Ultrasonography is the technique of delineating areas or objects in the body via the use of ultrasound pulses. It is an invaluable practice in the medical field,... Read more.
From the Newsroom at ASRT – ASRT Board of Directors Provides Update on Gonadal and Fetal Shielding Position
At its June meeting, the ASRT Board of Directors held extensive discussions about the emerging issue of ending the use of patient gonadal and fetal shielding during... Read more.
The Joint Commission Deletes Fluoroscopy User Training Requirement
Seriously, are we confused here? The Joint Commission has announced its decision to delete the fluoroscopy user training requirement from the requirements that went... Read more.
Non-compete Agreements and Doc-Napping
A geographic pos-employment restrictive covenant is often called a “noncompete clause” in a contract stating you are unable to work within a specified number... Read more.
How Much Is Your Time Really Worth? Time vs Money Dilemma
On every professional and social healthcare network similar questions are being asked. What is the salary range for your job? How is salary determined? What... Read more.
Advanced imaging technology and your future… Where will you be in 5 years?
The future has already arrived. It just isn’t evenly distributed yet. Digital radiography, artificial intelligence, picture archiving and communication systems,... Read more.
A Nurse Sounds Off… Violence against healthcare workers
There is a very fundamental problem in U.S. healthcare and that is violence against healthcare workers. If you haven’t picked up on the fact that this issue is... Read more.
The Elephant in the Room: Race and Discrimination Thoughts on Implicit Bias
As the country and the population becomes more diverse, society in general has become more stratified and many of communities have become marginalized. The healthcare... Read more.
A 2019 Perspective on Mammographers and Accreditation
As a Vice President at Advanced Health Education Center, one area under my charge is helping mammography facilities fulfill the requirements assigned by accreditation... Read more.
Ideas and Comments About New Virtual Grids
Ideas and Comments About New Virtual Grids From someone who knows With CR and DR, one of the biggest reasons for image artifacts comes from grids and improper alignment... Read more.
From Millennials to Baby Boomers: How to create the most productive team with 4 generations
She brought her mom to the interview?? Picture this, mommy dearest sits patiently in the waiting room while her daughter is being interviewed for her first ever... Read more.
Obesity Increase Risks for Cancer from Higher Radiation Exposure
New research shows that obese patients require higher radiation exposure during radiology exams leading to cancer risks associated with radiation exposure. A new... Read more.
What do the Texas regulations require for Fluoroscopic Spacers?
Below is the regulation for the State of Texas. Basically, it says that you can remove the spacer cone for specific surgical applications that would be otherwise... Read more.
Radiology Conundrum: Removing the Fluoro Spacer
Recently, the online radiology communities have been debating the problems of removing the fluoroscopy spacer meant to keep the distance of the X-ray source consistent... Read more.
AHEC 2019 Survey: RT Experience with TMB
AHEC started the New Year exploring the rumors from Texas Rad Techs concerning their experiences with the Texas Medical Board (TMB). AHEC’s CEO asked the AHEC... Read more.
It’s here, January 1, 2019!
As of 1/1/19 all personnel utilizing and/or supervising fluoroscopy imaging equipment must have initial training in radiation safety and annual training thereafter. ... Read more.
Did you know? Healthcare is the most violent industry outside of law enforcement in the US.
Is a hospital not a symbol of security, care, and compassion? Why then is violence towards healthcare workers in hospitals a widespread phenomenon? Violence... Read more.
New Rules and Changes for Texas Medical Board’s Renewal and CE Reporting for Medical Radiologic Technologists – 2019
New Rules for the Texas Medical Board Renewals TMB’s rules for renewal and continuing education for radiologic technologists have changed. Frequent updates are... Read more.
Controversial Ads and Fleeting Notoriety – Do They Think We Are That Stupid?
Advertising has reached a new low during this campaign for the Midterm elections. Social Media plays its part in distributing “fake news” and has become a platform... Read more.
Can You Correct Fake News? EPA-Radiation Rollback Story
The Radiology Community was buzzing after a story on October 2 about the changes in the EPA regulation of radiation. The Associated Press reported erroneously in... Read more.
Was I Crazy? All my friends said so!
October is a special month, Advanced Health Education Center (AHEC) and MEDRelief Staffing (MRS), 30th anniversary. From the beginning, the goal of the company and... Read more.
Most doctors are ill-equipped to deal with the opioid epidemic. Few medical schools teach about addiction.
More Americans died of drug overdoses in 2016 than died in the entirety of the Vietnam War. Sixty Minutes did a program on Sunday evening (9/30) about how law enforcement... Read more.
AHEC/MEDRelief Staffing Celebrates 30 Year Milestone
Houston, TX (October 3, 2018 ) – Advanced Health Education Center dba MEDRelief Staffing, the industry leader in professional continuing education, healthcare... Read more.
Somebody Stop Me! Post Processing Radiographic Images
Digital Radiography (DR) brought us many features and most are an improvement from where we were with film. The DR dark side began to show almost immediately upon... Read more.
Not to Be the Fashion Police, but are Your Scrubs Sexy?
Yep, you read it correctly! The old adage says “sex” will sell anything and it seems that includes scrubs! We know all scrubs aren’t created equal, one... Read more.
The Demise of the Purple Cow
Doctors are not actually treating illness but instead doing their best to simply manage it, a completely broken philosophy of care. I have been reading a lot lately... Read more.
FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat epilepsy
One 6/25/18 the FDA approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol) oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut... Read more.
What’s All This Noise About Radiation Safety Training?
I have been frequently heard to say that among the things you are never supposed to debate with your friends and family are sex, money, religion, and Radiation Hazards!!... Read more.
Ouch! DBT Accreditation is here!
The long awaited Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) accreditation process is here and not without controversy. Although DBT was approved by the FDA in 2011, facilities... Read more.
New Expert Consensus Document Provides Best Practice for Radiation Safety
Radiation-based procedures are increasing in frequency with all the associated inherent risks. A new expert consensus document from the American College of Cardiology... Read more.
Proposed TJC Standards Revision that Relate to Fluoroscopy and CT Services
The Joint Commission is revising standards to better address risks related to the provision of fluoroscopy and CT in the Ambulatory Care, Critical Access Hospital,... Read more.
What is the Correct Placement Method for Radiography Markers?
Some of the latest chatter via Rad Tech communities have been directed at how we do our work. I have always found this topic to be extremely interesting. There... Read more.
EQUIP: The Verdict Is In!
EQUIP Year 1. There were 8,486 annual MQSA inspections between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 new results reveal 43% of those inspections had one or more... Read more.
AI is in the New Race for Space.
“Last century machines proved they could replace human muscle. This century, technologies are proving they can outperform human left brains – they can execute... Read more.
Did you know? It’s in your hands!
Did you know? It is estimated that there are over 1.7 million cases of healthcare associated infections (HAI) at any given time just in the U.S. Healthcare workers... Read more.
Timing isn’t the main thing, it’s EVERYTHING!
Timing isn’t the main thing, it’s everything. Daniel Pink’s new book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, presents a wealth of new data demonstrating... Read more.
What Would You Do? Stop Shielding Your Patients? – Part 2
Last month we discussed the issue of the hospital in Aurora, CO that reportedly removed the requirement for shielding patients of any age, from babies in NICU to... Read more.
What Would You Do? Stop Shielding Your Patients?
Recently, a radiologic technologist working in a hospital in Aurora, CO reported the adoption of a new NO shielding policy for patients including NICU babies and... Read more.
Make Friends With Technology or It Will Destroy You.
Surely by now you have become familiar with the role of informatics in health care. If not, you definitely have participated in the practice of creating, storing,... Read more.
Current Billing and Interpretation for ED Ultrasound Survey
There has been much recent discussion in many of the community chat rooms regarding ED Ultrasound and what is common practice at facilities. The discussions show... Read more.
Truth and Consequences – What Would You Do? (AHEC Follow-Up Survey)
In last month’s newsletter we reported an article describing an incident in a hospital operating room where staff and physicians were snapping pictures of an unconscious... Read more.
New Guidelines Classify Nearly Half of America as Hypertensive
According to the new 2017 guidelines almost of America – 46% – are now considered to be in the high blood pressure category. High blood pressure should... Read more.
Truth and Consequences — What Would you Do?
Give us your opinion! Advanced Health Education Center is hard at work preparing new material for the 2018 curriculum. Your opinion regarding a case that was... Read more.
It’s October – Go Pink! Breast Cancer Awareness Month
From the start- Get your mammogram and encourage your friends and family to comply. Throw Back Thursday – In 1992 Congress passed the Mammography Quality... Read more.
What would you do? Cussing at Work.
In January we wrote a blog about cussing in the workplace that gained quite a bit of traction with readers and on social media. So we decided to dive a little... Read more.
Harvey Flood Stories – A Story to Warm Your Heart
In the midst of the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, families and friends are pulling together to put the pieces of their lives back together. People are living... Read more.
#HoustonStrong – Houston is back open for business and so are we!
We are happy to report that everyone in our AHEC family is safe and surprisingly no one’s house flooded. While we are physically ok and no one lost property... Read more.
Crisis Demands Action Now: Is Half of America High?
Crisis Demands Action Now: Is Half of America High? Drug overdoses now kill more Americans than HIV/AIDS did at its peak. Nearly 1 in 8 adults in America have an... Read more.
Burn Out, Real or Nah?
It’s more likely that we are acutely more aware of the battery life left in our smartphones than we are of the battery life left within ourselves. It’s no surprise... Read more.
Think You Are Overworked Now? Just Wait…
Anybody doing less work than they did a year ago? Two Years ago? I frequently ask this question in my classes and no one, not one person that works in an active... Read more.
AHEC’s Webinar Series Grows Again!
Our attendees absolutely love our enhanced webinar and simulcast programs. Now we are extending those services even more. Advanced Health Education Center live webinars... Read more.
AHEC Announces Results of Violence at Work Survey
AHEC Announces Results of Violence at Work Survey Five years ago AHEC identified Violence in the Workplace as one of the most concerning trends in healthcare. The... Read more.
Defuse Crisis Situations with CPI Training (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention)
Are you giving your staff the tools to tame the lion? Put out the fire? Protect themselves and the patients? “We want to believe human violence is somehow beyond... Read more.
The Most Dangerous JOB in America: Healthcare
Who has the most dangerous job in America? YOU DO! Workplace violence against healthcare workers is rampant. Almost 75% of the workplace assaults between 2011... Read more.
Texas Medical Board Implements CE Changes for MRT’s (4-3-17)
Last month new requirements for Texas Medical Radiologic Technologists (MRT’s) became effective. There are multiple changes from the previous state requirements... Read more.
NEWS About the MQSA EQUIP Initiative: What you need to know!
A new MQSA regulatory program called Enhancing Quality Using the Inspection Process (EQUIP) became effective on January 1, 2017 to continue the promotion of clinical... Read more.
Ultrasound probes: Cross Contamination
I am a germaphobe. Even as a child my earliest memories were coming inside from play and asking permission to take another bath because I had touched something. ... Read more.
Patients Cross Contaminated From Your Dirty iPad/iPhone: Your iPhone’s Dirtier Than a Toilet!
Just recently my husband and I had a really bad encounter with the flu. I took him to an Urgent Care to receive a confirmation nose swab on a Friday afternoon at... Read more.
Update on Medicare Requirements for Staff Performing Bone Densitometry
Many questions have been raised over the past several weeks about the training and qualifications of personnel performing bone densitometry after several facilities... Read more.
Leading the Way: Specialty Training and Private Tutorials
AHEC always puts the client in the driver’s seat. You speak, we listen. What are your practice gaps? We will find the experts to fill those gaps. Can’t meet... Read more.
2017 Spotlight on OB Ultrasound Training
Spring weather has assisted many travelers to fly South to obtain training in OB/Gyn ultrasound. AHEC has hosted multiple training events this quarter with the January... Read more.
Are We Too Clean For Our Own Good?
Where did this idea that you could be too clean originate? This idea is based on the “hygiene hypothesis” which suggests that our current cleanliness is bad... Read more.
Hell Yes! Cussing Is Good For You, Research Shows
I was a pretty naïve young lady when I went to work in a hospital. But, it didn’t take long for me to learn the colorful and varied expressions cast about in... Read more.
Advanced Health Education Center Sponsors March Class for NRC
Spring brings a special type of guest to AHEC for training. Inspectors/reviewers for medical uses of radioactive materials will come to the Houston Center for one... Read more.
AHEC Makes House Calls to Meet Specialty Requests
One of the unique features of Advanced Health Education Center (AHEC) is they never say “Never”. If there is a special educational request, they will... Read more.
VA Nurse Practitioners Win One, Lose One
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced yesterday that nurse practitioners were granted the authority to act and order without the oversight of a physician.... Read more.
Wondering What Became of the Fluoroscopy Safety Rule?
Wondering What Became of the Fluoroscopy Safety Rule? Texas Fluoroscopic Radiation Safety Update The Texas Administrative Code Part 289.227 went into effect on May... Read more.
The Sunset Commission Makes Recommendations Affecting MRTs Again!
At least half of America was caught by surprise with the outcome of the presidential election. Why? Because they relied on the media and other people to tell them... Read more.
Safety Zones? What Safety Zones?
We all probably know the 2001 horrifying story of the 6-year-old in New York who was killed when a nurse brought an oxygen tank into the MRI suite and the magnet... Read more.
Radioactive Waste at Secret Nuclear Site in Danger?
While I was busy growing up, the US Army Corps of Engineers was building a nuclear powered research center 800 miles from the North Pole in Greenland. In this climatically... Read more.
Every patient tells their story, but are we listening?
Storytelling is an excellent way to learn. In fact, it’s probably the best way to learn. Each patient that comes for medical treatment has their story of signs,... Read more.
The Perks of Living the Life of a Health Care Traveler
At Advanced Health Education Center (AHEC), we often have individuals visit from other countries and incorporate an educational activity into their stateside visit.... Read more.
The Veteran’s Administration Proposes to Allow Nurses to Perform and Interpret Imaging Studies
June 3, 2016 On May 25, 2016 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs introduced a proposal that would allow nurses to, “Order, perform, supervise, and interpret... Read more.
Breaking News for Technologists!
Breaking News for Technologists! ARRT Changes The ARRT has posted proposed changes to its Rules and Regulations on its website under the tab “ARRT News” and... Read more.
What’s the Truth About Radiation Exposure?
Radiation Exposure is a subject that carries a ton of extra philosophical baggage. To many folks, it is an emotional issue. The public hears two opinions about radiation... Read more.
Sound OFF: Medicare Cuts Imaging “bread and butter” dollars
People are talking! Discussing the Medicare cuts scheduled for operators of CR imaging equipment. This regulation was included in the Consolidated Appropriations... Read more.
Sound Off – AHEC Opinion Survey
Advanced Health Education Center would like for you to participate in a short survey. Please answer the following questions pertaining to the reimbursement penalties... Read more.
Breast Cancer Genetic Testing Gets Covered by Health Care Reform
Genetic testing for breast cancer will be covered under the Affordable Care Act, potentially saving women who need the test thousands of dollars. Today (March 6),... Read more.
Do physicians have a moral obligation to treat obese patients?
Last August, a primary care physician made headlines because he refused to treat a woman because he said she weighed too much. Several months before OB-Gyn physicians... Read more.
NEW Mammography Positioning Course on the WAY.
You spoke and we listened! Susan has designed a new course for positioning. It has been named Mammography Workshop: Focus on Positioning. It will begin on a nationwide... Read more.
NRC AWARD “Kickoff” Meeting
AHEC and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Training Officer and Contracting Officer had their “kickoff” meeting today for the new award announced last week. ... Read more.
Everything You Want and Need In Bone Densitometry!
If you are searching for bone densitometry CE, look no further! You are invited to attend “Cutting Edge Bone Densitometry” on April 20, 2013, a six hour conference... Read more.
Ultrasound Corner
AHEC is pleased to announce the great reception we have had with our Scan With the Experts product line. All of the attendees have expressed basically the same... Read more.