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 prohibited at the SSDs specified by the regulation. If you do remove it, then you must have written operating and safety procedures that provide precautionary measures to be…
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 on each patient and each procedure. Many surgeons are asking for removal of the spacers to facilitate the surgical field. We asked our radiation safety expert, Louis Wagner, Ph.D., DABR,…
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 marketing group to investigate and was particularly concerned as she holds License #1 and continues to act in concert with TMB. We surveyed our Texas constituents and have the…
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. A response from TJC about the requirements that staff will be expected to meet follows: “The education requirement focuses on content that would address dose management and the operation of the types of…
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 in healthcare settings seems counter-intuitive to the socially held expectations regarding hospitals and their mission to provide care and comfort to those in need. However, it seems the general public fails…
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 necessary, as changes are not sent to you. As of December 1, 2018, the following explains the most misunderstood parts of the rules: TMB renewals are based on the year you were…
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 for anyone who wants to put the blame somewhere. I really don’t “get it”. How many people have had their minds influenced or changed by the number of…
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 a headline that the EPA says a little radiation may be good for you. The stories reported that the EPA was going to loosen the regulations allowing more radiation…
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 the ideas of Brenda Arnett and myself was to provide continuing education to practicing professionals in a setting convenient to working adults. Continuing education in imaging technology was sporadic or…
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 was closing pain centers in Florida and Tennessee who were subsidizing the distribution of pain killers and perpetuating the opioid crisis. They even went so…