1. Patient Transportation

2. Safety in the Imaging Department
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Federal agency governing safety in the workplace
OSHA – Provides guidelines to ensure a high level of safety for hospital workers. It is important for you to be familiar with safety procedures at your work setting

3. Fire
Be prepared…
Hospitals have a clearly defined plan for staff action in the event of a fire. You must become familiar with your department’s plan.

4. Mobile Equipment No parking in the red zone…
Imaging often uses mobile stretchers, wheelchairs, carts, and x-ray machines; care must be taken to avoid obstructing passage and doorways
All equipment must be parked on the same side of the hallway, not lining both walls

5. Equipment Safety Make sure room is available to pass easily
Ask yourself – “Would this piece of equipment be a problem in this location if quick evacuation becomes necessary?”

6. In Case of Fire…
If you discover a fire, your primary responsibility is to evacuate everyone in the immediate area to a safe location
Beyond at least two fire doors
Second, report the fire and location using the prescribed code procedure

7. Fire in Another Part of the Hospital…
Close all doors
Shut off all electrical equipment
Shut off main oxygen valves – O2 is very flammable
Prepare patients for further evacuation while awaiting instruction

8. Body Mechanics

9. Muscle strains are common among hospital workers
The most common injury reported by radiographers

10. 3 Major Concepts
Base of support – The portion of the body in contact with the floor or other horizontal surface
A broad base of support provides stability for body position and movement

12. Centre of Gravity
Centre of body weight; the point around which body weight is balanced
Usually located in the midportion of the pelvis or lower abdomen, depending on body build
Any object you hold adds to the weight on the base of support… Affecting the location of your centre of gravity

13. The body is most stable when the centre of gravity is nearest the centre of the base of support

14. Centre of Gravity for Most People is S2

15. Line of Gravity
Imaginary vertical line passing through the centre of gravity
The body is most stable when the line of gravity bisects the base of support

16. Not so Good Good 

17. Rules of Body Mechanics
Provide a broad base of support
Work at a comfortable height
When lifting, bend your knees and keep your back straight
Keep your load well-balanced and close to your body
Roll or push a heavy object; avoid pulling or lifting

18. Patient Comfort and Safety

19. Padding & Support
Lordotic = Concave
Kyphotic = Convex

20. Radiation Protection Considerations
Good patient care…
Padding placed under body prominences, such as the sacrum, heels, or midthoracic curvature
Patient is better able to maintain the position needed
– Decubitus ulcers

21. Rule of Thumb…
If a patient will be in one position on the x-ray table for longer than 10 minutes, a full-size radiolucent pad should be used

22. Patient Positions
Semi-Flower’s

23. Patient Transportation

24. Preparing for Safe Patient Transfer
Check with nursing service and obtain chart
Check patient identification
Make a plan, prepare the room
Get transport equipment, and make sure it works!

26. Preparing for Safe Patient Transfer
Enlist the patient’s help and cooperation. Tell the patient what you are doing as you proceed
Obtain additional help when necessary. Check to make certain your assistants understand their role in the transfer

27. Wheelchair Transfer
To get started, lower the patient’s bed as far as it will go and raise the head
Support the patient’s head and knees. Lift and rotate the patient to a sitting position with their legs hanging over the edge of the bed
Help the patient with their slippers and robe

28. Wheelchair Transfer
This will allow patient time to regain a sense of balance
Orthorstatic hypotension
At this point, some patients will be able to stand and get to the wheelchair on their own

29. Transfer from Bed or Chair

31. Two-Person Transfer

35. Infection Control

36. Who Wears the Mask when Transporting a TB Patient?
The patient
Both patient and transporter wear appropriate masks when travelling in an enclosed vehicle
What kind? Surgical mask

37. Patient Treatment Equipment

38. Be Careful With…

42. Urinary Bag…

43. Central Line

45. Before You Act, Think Safety!