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Release Date
January 2012

Expiration date
February 1, 2016


Faculty

Bernard Assadourian, RT (R)(CT)
CT Lead Technologist
NYU Langone Medical Center
Department of Radiology
New York, NY

Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT)

Manager, CT Quality and Imaging Processing Lab
NYU Langone Medical Center
Department of Radiology
New York, NY






 

Equipment Requirements
PC: Win7/Win8, Pentium processor or faster, at least 2GB RAM, Internet Explorer version 10/11, Mozilla FireFox version 33.0.

MAC: OS version 10.8/10.9, Intel processor, at least 2GB RAM, Safari version 6.2, FireFox 33.0

 

 


Format: Online Activity
Credit:  2.75 ARRT Category A
Fee for Credit Certificate: $20
 

PROGRAM INFORMATION

CT for Technologists is an educational program designed to meet the needs of radiologic technologists entering or working in the field of computed tomography (CT). These online units are designed to augment classroom instruction and on-site training for radiologic technology students and professionals planning to take the review board examinations, as well as to provide a review for those looking to refresh their knowledge base in CT imaging.

OVERVIEW
The skill of the technologist is the single most important factor in the acquisition of high-quality diagnostic images. A successful CT examination is the culmination of many variables under the direct control of the technologist. Comprehension of CT system components, image formation, image quality, postprocessing techniques, archiving, quality assurance testing, artifacts, and radiation safety is the responsibility of the radiologic technologist to ensure optimal image quality and safe and effective patient care.

CT for Technologists 2 - Image Formation, Reconstruction, and Artifacts introduces the learner to the concepts of the image process, scanning methods, the digital image, image quality, image reconstruction, quality assurance tests, and artifacts. Many factors contribute to image quality, and a thorough understanding of the interactions among these factors will allow the technologist to acquire high-quality, diagnostic images.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After concluding this educational activity, the reader will be able to:

  • List the various types of CT scanning
  • Discuss the interactions of parameters, reconstruction, and evolving technologies of image formation
  • Describe the details that contribute to the digital image and to image quality
  • Discuss image reconstruction and postprocessing techniques
  • Identify the different types and sources of CT artifacts by their characteristic patterns
  • Reduce or eliminate the appearance of artifacts through continual quality assurance and assessment of technical parameters, including phantom testing

EDUCATIONAL CREDIT
This program has been approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) for 2.75 hours of ARRT Category A continuing education credit.

 

How to Enroll
Time to complete this activity is 2.75 hours.

  • Click ENROLL NOW, CONTINUE through the shopping cart, CONFIRM ORDER, and ACCESS COURSE NOW.
  • Once you are enrolled, you can return to this course anytime by logging to your account at www.icpme.us.
  • Click on MY ACCOUNT, then click on the course title. 
How to Receive Credit
Your online account with ICPME serves as a permanent record of credit certificates earned through icpme.us.
  • Read the course content.
  • To access the posttest and evaluation, login to your account at icpme.us and click on the course title.   
  • Click the icons for POSTTEST and for EVALUATION.
  • A passing grade of at least 75% is required to receive credit. You may take the test up to three times.
  • Upon receipt of a passing grade, you will be able to print a certificate of credit from your account at icpme.us.
  • There is a $20 fee to process a certificate of credit.


FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
Bernard Assadourian, RT (R)(CT)
CT Lead Technologist
NYU Langone Medical Center
Department of Radiology
New York, NY

Mr. Assadourian has served as CT Lead Technologist at the New York University, Langone Medical Center Department of Radiology for over ten years and has traveled to the Middle East to lecture on cardiac CTA. He has co-authored previous editions of the CT for Technologists series, specifically on spine and musculoskeletal imaging.


Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT)
Manager, CT Quality and Imaging Processing Lab
NYU Langone Medical Center
Department of Radiology
New York, NY

Mr. Vega has served as Manager of the Image Processing Lab at New York University, Langone Medical Center Department of Radiology for four years and was recently appointed Manager of CT Quality. Prior to assuming this responsibility, he managed the CT Department.

Mr. Vega has lectured on CT and image processing in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. He co-authored previous editions of the CT for Technologists series, including neuroimaging and imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.



CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

ICPME is committed to providing learners with high-quality continuing education (CE) that promotes improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

A conflict of interest (COI) exists when an individual has both a financial relationship with a commercial interest and the opportunity to control the content of CME relating to the product or services of that commercial interest. A commercial interest is defined as any proprietary entity producing healthcare goods or services with the following exemptions: (1) governmental agencies, eg, the NIH; (2) not-for-profit organizations; and (3) CME honorarium received by the faculty or advisers, planners and managers or their spouse/life partner.

The following faculty, planners, advisers, and managers have reported these relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CE activity:


Bernard Assadourian, RT (R)(CT), has no conflicts to report.
Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT), has received consulting fees from Siemens Medical Solutions.

Jason Lincoln, BS, RT (R)(CT) has no conflicts to report.
Linda McLean, MS, has no conflicts to report.
Victoria Phoenix, BS, has no conflicts to report.
Lisa H. Schleelein, MEd, has no conflicts to report.


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to Jason Lincoln, BS, RT (R)(CT), Clinical Coordinator, CT Imaging Technology, Forsyth Technical Community College, for his contributions, as well as to Michael Bloom, RT (R)(CT), Image Processing Specialist, NYU Langone Medical Center, for his data collection contributions.

We would also like to acknowledge the authors of the original series for their significant and lasting contributions to this educational material: Jennifer McNew, RT (R)(CT); Tomi Brandt, MPA, RT (R)(M)(QM); and Alec J. Megibow, MD, MPH, FACR.



SPONSORED and SUPPORTED BY

ICPME


DISCLAIMER

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.