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Current State of Medical Imaging
In an environment of rapid growth and technological advancement, radiologic technologists face a number of challenges when new and emerging technologies are introduced or when equipment upgrades occur. The challenges described in this white paper do not constitute an all-inclusive list of those faced daily by radio-logic technologists and medical imaging department managers, but address many of the issues that affect the technologist’s ability to continue to provide quality patient care under ALARA principles when adjusting to new and emerging technologies. In addition, these challenges can interfere with the effectiveness of education by vendors during new or upgraded equipment installations.
Workplace and Staffing
The workplace presents many daily challenges to busy radiologic technologists and medical imaging department managers. One of these challenges is continuing to staff the medical imaging department regardless of budgetary constraints. According to the ASRT Radiology Staffing Survey 2010, more than 70 percent of respondents reported that the number of budgeted full-time equivalents in their medical imaging departments did not increase in 2010. The estimated number of unfilled positions in medical imaging declined significantly (8 percent) between 2003 and 2010 to approximately 2 percent. As budgets and staffing ratios tighten, shifts lengthen and medical imaging departments have less scheduling flexibility. In many small and rural facilities, radiologic technologists often must cross-train and multitask, helping to staff more than one modality. Studies of nurse staffing have shown that extended shifts can lead to burnout, fatigue and most importantly, can compromise patient safety. Overtime also might be required by some employers. There is also a trend in health care cultures to blend the distinction between voluntary and mandatory overtime, making workers feel as if they must take overtime. When health care workers fail to receive adequate sleep time, they can experience lapses in attention, reduced motivation and diminished ability to solve problems. Vacation time and personal days off are also important.
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