Chapter 2 Professional Issues Flashcards
List the 8 criteria of a profession, and explain how radiologic technology meets these criteria
- A vital human service is provided to society by profession.
- Professions possess a special body of knowledge that is continuously enlarged through research.
- Practitioners are expected to be accountable and responsible.
- The education of professionals take place in institutions for higher education.
- Practitioners have an independent function and control their own practice.
- Professionals are committed to their work and are motivated by doing well.
- A code of ethics guides professional decisions and conduct.
- A professional organization oversees and supports standards of practice.
Name 2 major professional organizations in radiologic technology
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
- American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT)
What is the purpose of the Practice Standards in Radiography?
It is a guide for appropriate practice, assists in developing job descriptions, and promotes role definition for practitioners. It defines the practice and establish general criteria to determine compliance.
The Practice Standards are divided into four sections. Name and define sections.
- Radiographer Scope of Practice
- Radiography Clinical Performance Standards
- Quality Performance Standards
- Radiography Professional Performance Standards
What document represents the application of moral principles and moral values for radiologic technology?
American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Standards of Ethics
Nonmaleficence
Duty to refrain from inflicting harm
Autonomy
The right to make decisions concerning one’s own life
Truthfulness
Honesty to patients
Justice
Equal treatment and equal benefits
Double Effect
The intent is good although a bad result may be foreseen
The radiographer who mistakenly administers an incorrect drug to a patient may be guilty of:
Tort
As a radiographer, you refuse to work with a patient because you do not care for persons of the patient’s religion. You are guilty of violating:
The ethics of your profession and law
Explain the documentation for which you as a radiographer will be accountable in your department when you participate in a procedure.
- Pertinent medical history of his or her patient (any radiographic images taken)
- Exposure factors
- Radiographic room/equipment
- Amount of fluoroscopic time used during a procedure
- Any patient preparation for procedures
- Medications he or she administers
- Any adverse reactions to medications or treatments received by the patient.
Professional ethics may defined as:
A set of principles that govern a course of action
Which of the following is an example of privileged (confidential) information?
You assist with a diagnostic study and a large adherent mass is discovered in the colon.
After completing a radiologic technology program, you are employed at the local community hospital in the diagnostic imaging department. You are approached by a colleague who asks you to become a member for the local chapter of your professional organization. You know that you will be expected to pay yearly dues. Which would be your best response to your colleague?
You join at once because you feel that it is an obligation to be a member of your professional organization.
Information about a patient’s condition or prognosis:
must always remain confidential
If you are unable to solve a professional ethical dilemma, you must present the problem to:
The ethics committee of the institution for which you work
As a radiographer, you are assigned to a diagnostic imaging procedure for which you have had no education. Your best course of action when this occurs would be:
To explain to your superior that you have never worked with this procedure and do not feel competent to perform the procedure without education
If you offer your services at the scene of an accident, you are protected from litigation by the Good Samaritan Law.
True
If a patient requests to take his or her radiographic images to another institution for consultation, you must remember:
That the patient must present a signed request before the records can be released.
An unconscious child is brought to the emergency suite in your hospital for a diagnostic radiograph. There is no parent or legal guardian with the child. You will proceed with the procedure and will be functioning under the rule of implied consent.
True
Explain the value of personal malpractice insurance for the radiographer.
The value of a personal malpractice insurance policy is that it offers the radiographer legal protection if he or she is named in a lawsuit in which legal expenses for defense are not completely covered by his or her employer. It also provides protection against claims of malpractice because the insurance company assumes the risk in accordance with the policy contract.
List three areas in which the radiographer may infringe upon patient rights.
- Violating the rules of confidentiality
- Ignoring the patient’s right to informed consent for a procedure
- Violating the right to physical privacy
List three responsibilities of the patient.
- To provide an accurate and complete health history
- To keep appointments
- To fulfill financial obligations related to medical care
DRGs
Groups for payment dependent upon medical diagnosis
Point of Service Plans
Has primary care physicians who act as gatekeepers for patient care
Medicare
Covers the acute hospital care and home health care of persons who are 65 of age and older
HMOs
Attempts to decrease medical cost by means of preventative medical care
Medicaid
Provides medical care for children and disabled persons
