CT for Technologists
3: Radiation Safety

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This course expires June 1, 2020.  

The expiration date cannot be extended.

If you want credit, all aspects of this course must be completed by no later than May 31, 2020 Eastern Standard Time.

• View the course content
• Pass the posttest
• PRINT THE CERTIFICATE!

After the course has expired, it will not be accessible.

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: 3. Radiation Safety introduces the learner to the history of x-ray discovery and its consequent adverse effects, how radiation affects human tissue, how to minimize patient radiation exposure through parameter adjustment, and how to protect the patient as well as the staff, including national initiatives to reduce exposure.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Discuss the early challenges of x-ray development
• Describe the effects of ionizing radiation on the body
• Explain radiation safety practices in CT
• Assess CT scan parameters that impact patient radiation dose
• Develop and implement reduced-dose CT protocols for adult and pediatric patients

ACCREDITATION and EDUCATIONAL CREDIT
This program has been approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) for 2.0 hours of ARRT Category A continuing education credit.

TUITION
Tuition for this course includes:

• Downloadable course content
• Unlimited access to the course
• Certificate of Credit

ICPME accepts American Express, MasterCard, and Visa.

Please note: tuition payments are non-refundable.

HOW TO ENROLL
Time to complete this activity is 2 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 www.icpme.us.

• Login to your account at www.icpme.us
• Read the course content.
• After viewing the course content, login to your account at www.icpme.us, click on MY ACCOUNT, and click on the Session title.   
• From the course home page, click the buttons 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, click the certificate tab to print a credit certificate.

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
Robert S. Jennings, RT (R)(CT)(ARRT)
3D Lab Director
Fairfax Radiological Consultants, PC
Fairfax, VA

In addition to managing the 3D Lab at Fairfax Radiological Consultants (FRC), Mr. Jennings oversees CT protocols at six outpatient CT centers. He also serves as Director/Instructor of the GE/FRC Cardiac CTA for CT Technologists Course.

Mr. Jennings also co-authored with James P. Earls, MD, a 2008 article published in Radiology titled: Prospectively gated transverse coronary CT angiography versus retrospectively gated helical technique: improved image quality and reduced radiation dose.

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:

James P. Earls, MD has receiving consulting fees and fees for non-CME services from GE Healthcare.
Robert S. Jennings, RT (R)(CT)(ARRT) 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..
Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT) has received consulting fees from Siemens Medical Systems

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We extend our special thanks to James P. Earls, MD, Partner, Fairfax Radiologic Consultants, PC, and Director of Cardiac CT, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute and Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT), Manager, Imaging Processing Lab, New York University, Langone Medical Center for their thoughtful review of this material.

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.

Questions?
Contact ICPME:
information@icpmed.com

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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.