Radiologic Technology & Professionalism 1. Code of Ethics for Radiography 2. Principles / Rules of professional conduct for RTs 3. Legal aspects 4. Patients rights when entering a health care institution

Introduction Radiography is oriented to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Radiography is oriented to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Therefore RTs have to work in intimate contact with people on a daily basis. Therefore RTs have to work in intimate contact with people on a daily basis. The RT has a commitment to accept the code of ethics of the profession and all that it entails. The RT has a commitment to accept the code of ethics of the profession and all that it entails. They are faced daily with situations that may have ethical an legal implications for them. They are faced daily with situations that may have ethical an legal implications for them.

……..Introduction continued Most healthcare is oriented towards effective communication. Most healthcare is oriented towards effective communication. Health care professions should develop a way of communication with patients that is therapeutic. Health care professions should develop a way of communication with patients that is therapeutic. The RT will be working with patients who have serious, often terminal illness. The RT will be working with patients who have serious, often terminal illness. He must be able to relate to them in an understanding an sensitive manner. He must be able to relate to them in an understanding an sensitive manner. Competence in this area of communication requires an understanding of the grieving process and understanding of one’s own feelings about death and dying. Competence in this area of communication requires an understanding of the grieving process and understanding of one’s own feelings about death and dying.

….Introduction continued Therefore the student must ask himself the following questions Therefore the student must ask himself the following questions 1.Am I prepared to accept and practice this profession and support the ethics of this profession? 2.Am I prepared to accept and practice this profession and avoid violations of law? 3.Am I willing to learn to relate to my patients in a professional and therapeutic manner? If ‘Yes’ you are ready to proceed

Professional Ethics Code of Ethics for Radiography / Radiologic Technology Formulated by American Society of Radiologic Technology

Principle 1 The RT functions efficiently & effectively, demonstrating conduct and attitudes reflecting the profession. The RT functions efficiently & effectively, demonstrating conduct and attitudes reflecting the profession. 1.1 Responds to patient needs 1.2 Performs tasks competently 1.3 Supports colleagues and associates in providing quality patient care

Principle 2 The RT provides service to patients without discrimination The RT provides service to patients without discrimination 2.1 Exhibits no prejudice for sex, race, creed, religion 2.2 Provides service without regard to social or economic status 2.3 Delivers care unrestricted by concerns for personal attributes, or nature of the disease or illness

Principle 3 The RT practices technology founded on scientific basis. The RT practices technology founded on scientific basis. 3.1 Applies theoretical knowledge an concepts in the performance of tasks appropriate to the practice 3.2 Utilizes equipment and accessories consistent with the purpose for which they have been designed. 3.3 Employs procedures and techniques appropriately, efficiently, and effectively

Principle 4 The RT exercises care, discretion, and judgment in the practice of the profession. The RT exercises care, discretion, and judgment in the practice of the profession. 4.1 Assumes responsibility for professional decisions. 4.2 Assess situations and acts in the best interest of the patient.

Principle 5 The RT provides the physician with pertinent information relate to diagnosis and treatment of the patient The RT provides the physician with pertinent information relate to diagnosis and treatment of the patient 5.1 Complies with the fact that diagnosis and interpretation are outside the scope of practice for the profession 5.2 Acts as an agent to obtain medical information through observation and communication to aid the physician in diagnosis and treatment management.

Principle 6 The RT is responsible for protecting the patient, self, and others from unnecessary radiation. The RT is responsible for protecting the patient, self, and others from unnecessary radiation. 6.1 Performs service with competence an expertise. 6.2 Utilizes equipment and accessories to limit radiation exposure to self and other members of the health-care team

Principle 7 The RT practices ethical conduct befitting the profession The RT practices ethical conduct befitting the profession 7.1 Protects the patient’s right to quality radiologic technology care. 7.2 Provides the public with information related to the profession and its functions. 7.3 Supports the profession by maintaining and upgrading professional standards.

Principle 8 The RT respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice. The RT respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice. 8.1 Protects the patients right to privacy 8.2 keeps confidential, information relating to patients, colleagues, and associates. 8.3 Reveals confidential information only as required by law or to protect the welfare of the individual or the community.

Principle 9 The RT recognizes that continuing education is vital to maintaining and advancing the profession The RT recognizes that continuing education is vital to maintaining and advancing the profession 9.1 Participates as a student in learning activities appropriate to specific areas of responsibility as well as to the scope of practice. 9.2 Shares knowledge with colleagues 9.3 Investigates new and innovative aspects of professional practice

Principle 10 The RT acts to advance the principle objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind The RT acts to advance the principle objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind 10.1 Participates in and actively supports the professional organizations for RT 10.2 Acts as a representative for the profession and the tenets for which it stands 10.3 Serves as an advocate of professional policy and procedure to colleagues and associates in the health-care delivery system.

Principles of professional Conduct

Principles of professional conduct for Radiographers / Radiologic Technologists These principles/rules are intended to serve as a guide by which RTs may evaluate their professional conduct as it relates to patients, colleagues, other members of the medical care team, healthcare consumers, and employers and to assist RTs in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct These principles/rules are intended to serve as a guide by which RTs may evaluate their professional conduct as it relates to patients, colleagues, other members of the medical care team, healthcare consumers, and employers and to assist RTs in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct

Principle 1 The RT shall conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the dignity an professional standards of their profession The RT shall conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the dignity an professional standards of their profession

Principle 2 RT shall provide services with consideration of human dignity an the needs of the patient, unrestricted by consideration of age, sex, race, creed, social or economic status, handicap, personal attributes, or the nature of the health problem RT shall provide services with consideration of human dignity an the needs of the patient, unrestricted by consideration of age, sex, race, creed, social or economic status, handicap, personal attributes, or the nature of the health problem

Principle 3 RT shall make every effort to protect all patients from unnecessary radiation RT shall make every effort to protect all patients from unnecessary radiation

Principle 4 RT should exercise and accept responsibility for independent discretion an judgment in the performance of their professional services RT should exercise and accept responsibility for independent discretion an judgment in the performance of their professional services

Principle 5 RT should shall judiciously protect the patient’s right to privacy and shall maintain all patient information in the strictest confidence RT should shall judiciously protect the patient’s right to privacy and shall maintain all patient information in the strictest confidence

Principle 6 RT shall apply only methods of technology founded upon a scientific basis and not employ those methods that violate this principle RT shall apply only methods of technology founded upon a scientific basis and not employ those methods that violate this principle

Principle 7 RT shall not diagnose, but in recognition of their responsibility to the patient, they shall provide the physician with all information they have relative to radiologic diagnosis or patient management RT shall not diagnose, but in recognition of their responsibility to the patient, they shall provide the physician with all information they have relative to radiologic diagnosis or patient management

Principle 8 RT shall be responsible for reporting unethical conduct and illegal professional activities to the appropriate authorities RT shall be responsible for reporting unethical conduct and illegal professional activities to the appropriate authorities

Principle 9 RT should continually strive to improve their knowledge and skills by participating in educational and professional activities and sharing the benefits or their attainments with their colleagues RT should continually strive to improve their knowledge and skills by participating in educational and professional activities and sharing the benefits or their attainments with their colleagues

Principle 10 RT should protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation. RT should protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation.

Legal aspects of Radiologic Technology All patients who present themselves for care in a health-care institution are protected by the Patient’s Bill of Rights. All patients who present themselves for care in a health-care institution are protected by the Patient’s Bill of Rights. It delineates the rights that the patient has as a consumer of health care. It delineates the rights that the patient has as a consumer of health care. All healthcare workers are required to adhere to the provisions of this bill. All healthcare workers are required to adhere to the provisions of this bill.

The Patient’s Bill of Right in America 1. The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care. 2. The patient has the right to obtain from his physician complete current information concerning his diagnosis, treatment, an prognosis in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to understand…………

The patient’s Bill …… 3. The patient has the right to receive from his physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and treatment…… 4. The patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of his action.

The patient’s Bill …… 5. The patient has the right to every consideration of his privacy concerning his own medical care programme. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in his case must have the permission of the patient to be present. 6. …………………………

Informed Consent Many procedures performed in diagnostic imaging departments require special consent forms to be signed by the patient, or in the case of minor children or other special cases, by their parents or legal representative. Many procedures performed in diagnostic imaging departments require special consent forms to be signed by the patient, or in the case of minor children or other special cases, by their parents or legal representative. The RT must be familiar with the procedures that require special consent The RT must be familiar with the procedures that require special consent It is his duty to recheck the patients chart (BHT) to be certain that this has been accomplished It is his duty to recheck the patients chart (BHT) to be certain that this has been accomplished

Medical records The ‘chart’ or the BHT has documented on it, up to date records of all patient visits, treatments, medications, and medical procedures etc. The ‘chart’ or the BHT has documented on it, up to date records of all patient visits, treatments, medications, and medical procedures etc. This is to transmit information about the patient from one health worker to another, to protect the patient from medical error, to provide information for medical research, an to protect the health worker in case of litigation. This is to transmit information about the patient from one health worker to another, to protect the patient from medical error, to provide information for medical research, an to protect the health worker in case of litigation. This should include……….? This should include……….?

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