Radiographer's Role In Assisting The Nursing Team
Radiographer’s Role in Assisting the Nursing Team
As a routine practice, post-operative radiographs will be requested within 24 hours of the surgery to validate the success of the Open Reduction Internal Fixation surgery and the placement and alignment of the screws and plates (Jibri et al., 2007). These images have significant diagnostic value as it assists in the assessment of the implantation and hence, the likelihood of long-term success of Mrs. Churchland’s surgery (William & Neep, 2012). Furthermore, the radiographs will help the doctors and nursing team to determine if physical therapy can be commenced as patients who get up and weight bear on their operated hip tend to recover their physical function and quality of life faster (Carneriro
et al., 2013). To ensure optimal patient care and comfort, the patient will remain supine on the bed and the radiographer should only move the patient minimally when obtaining a radiographic series consisting of an AP pelvis and Horizontal Beam Lateral of Mrs. Churchland’s right hip. Another way that the radiographer can assist the nursing team is by practicing proper infection control through hand washing, wearing gloves and using a barrier wrap such as plastic to cover the image receptor before placing it under the patient as she will be vulnerable to infections post-surgery especially in the wound area. The radiographer should also communicate to the nurse if the patient’s condition changes while she is with the radiographers in the x-ray department. Ultimately, close collaboration and effective communication between the nursing and radiography teams are significant in the delivery of high quality patient care for Mrs. Churchland.
As a routine practice, post-operative radiographs will be requested within 24 hours of the surgery to validate the success of the Open Reduction Internal Fixation surgery and the placement and alignment of the screws and plates (Jibri et al., 2007). These images have significant diagnostic value as it assists in the assessment of the implantation and hence, the likelihood of long-term success of Mrs. Churchland’s surgery (William & Neep, 2012). Furthermore, the radiographs will help the doctors and nursing team to determine if physical therapy can be commenced as patients who get up and weight bear on their operated hip tend to recover their physical function and quality of life faster (Carneriro
et al., 2013). To ensure optimal patient care and comfort, the patient will remain supine on the bed and the radiographer should only move the patient minimally when obtaining a radiographic series consisting of an AP pelvis and Horizontal Beam Lateral of Mrs. Churchland’s right hip. Another way that the radiographer can assist the nursing team is by practicing proper infection control through hand washing, wearing gloves and using a barrier wrap such as plastic to cover the image receptor before placing it under the patient as she will be vulnerable to infections post-surgery especially in the wound area. The radiographer should also communicate to the nurse if the patient’s condition changes while she is with the radiographers in the x-ray department. Ultimately, close collaboration and effective communication between the nursing and radiography teams are significant in the delivery of high quality patient care for Mrs. Churchland.