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Release Date
April 1. 2016

Expiration date

May 1, 2022


Faculty
Robert S. Jennings,
   RT (R)(CT)(ARRT)

3D Lab Director
Fairfax Radiological Consultants, PC
Fairfax, VA

 

CT for Technologists
Screening with CT

This course expires May 1, 2022

If you want credit, this course must be completed (i.e. view course content (PDF file), pass the posttest, AND print the certificate) by no later than April 30, 2022 by 5:00PM

Please note, after this course has expired, no aspect of the course will be accessible, including the course link.

Format: Online Course
RT Credit: 2.75 ARRT Category A Credits 
Tuition: $41.25

OVERVIEW
The skill of the technologist is the single most important factor in obtaining high quality diagnostic images. A successful CT examination is the culmination of many factors under the direct control of the technologist.


CT for Technologists: Screening with CT introduces the learner to the benefits of screening for coronary artery disease, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and visceral fat. These important exams not only detect cancer early in the disease process, but assist both the physician and patient in the management of general health and lifestyle.

The unit is comprised of five chapters. To receive credit, you must complete all five chapters.

Chapter 1.   Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring

Chapter 2.   Coronary CT Angiography

Chapter 3.   CT Lung Cancer Screening

Chapter 4.   CT Measurement of Visceral Fat

Chapter 5.   Virtual Colonoscopy CT

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this material, the learner should be able to:

  • Describe atherosclerosis and its effect on the function of the coronary arteries
  • Explain how CT calcium scoring is performed and calculated
  • Discuss how the results of calcium scoring can impact patient management
  • Implement the patient preparation protocol for coronary CTA
  • Explain when and how prospective and retrospective triggering should be used
  • Describe the benefits of dual source CT in cardiac imaging
  • Compare the benefits and disadvantages of screening CCTA to stress testing and cardiac catheterization
  • Describe the types of artifact that appear on cardiac CTA and how to minimize or eliminate them
  • Discuss how to reduce radiation dose for CCTA and how it compares to other cardiac testing
  • List the risks for developing lung cancer
  • Discuss who should be screened for lung cancer
  • Implement a low-dose CT lung cancer screening protocol
  • Describe techniques for minimizing radiation dose
  • Discuss what makes low-dose CT an effective screening tool
  • Explain the risks of undergoing low-dose CT for lung cancer screening
  • Discuss the health risks associated with excess visceral fat
  • Explain how visceral fat builds up and how to minimize it
  • Implement CT protocols for visceral fat volume measurement
  • Explain when colon cancer screening should be performed
  • Prepare the patient to undergo virtual colonoscopy CT exam
  • Implement the scanning protocol for virtual colonoscopy
  • Discuss the value of virtual colonoscopy CT as a screening tool
  • Compare the advantages and disadvantages of virtual colonoscopy CT to conventional colonoscopy

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.

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 2.75 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 in 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.

Your certificate of credit will remain in your account as a permanent record of credits earned at www.icpme.us.

FACULTY BIOGRAPHY
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 co-authored an article published in Radiology with James P. Earls, MD 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 no 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:

Robert S. Jennings, RT (R)(CT)(ARRT)
Linda McLean, MS
Victoria Phoenix, BS

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to acknowledge the efforts and expertise of Rob Jennings for his dedication in creating this educational activity. Mr. Jennings’ enthusiasm and timely turn-around are very much appreciated. We are also grateful to Fairfax Radiologic Consultants, PC, in Fairfax, VA for granting permission to use their images.

Special thanks to Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT), Manager, Imaging Processing Lab, New York University, Langone Medical Center for providing some of the material, as well as for reviewing the content.

Questions?
Contact ICPME:
information@icpmed.com


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.