Why Is This Important As A Radiographer?

Patients are entitled to have trust and confidence in the healthcare system and health professionals at all times and this is so important because it allows relationships to form with people. When you walk into a healthcare service provider, you walk in with trust. As a Radiographer we need the patient to trust and have confidence with their private information and body and always have a duty to make the care of patients the first concern. Key attributes include competency, keeping knowledge and skills up to date and the establishment and maintenance of good relationships with both patients and colleagues. Having honesty, integrity and trustworthiness and acting ethically are key.
Below are 3 pieces of legislation to ensure health professionals
https://www.mrtboard.org.nz/assets_mrtb/Uploads/MRTB-registered-practitioner-booklet-July-2017.pdf
2) Code of Safe Practice (CSP5) (2010) FOR THE USE OF X-RAYS IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS
This Code of Safe Practice sets out requirements and recommendations for radiation safety associated with the use of x-rays for medical diagnosis and for research on humans.
X-rays are integral to healthcare. They are undertaken to screen for, diagnose, monitor and treat various medical conditions X-rays can be used on just about any part of the body to identify health problems ranging from a broken bone to pneumonia etc.
X-rays do have a drawback however, they expose people to radiation. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/reducing-radiation-from-medical-x-rays#1 There are regulations put in place under this act and health professionals have a critical role in reducing radiation while still getting the maximum benefit from X-ray exams. Radiographers continue to conduct all examinations with concern for patient dose and following ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principles to balance dose and image
Where the primary beam angulation is such that it may incidentally irradiate the abdominal region, that region should be shielded with an apron or similar, with a lead equivalence of not less than 0.5 mm.

A radiographer must uphold patients trust and safety with radiation and ensure the unborn child is not exposed to the direct x-ray beam. Strictly limiting patient exposure to the area of clinical interest is achieved by using appropriate collimation of the beam. When the primary beam angulation has a risk of irradiating the abdominal region, effective shielding of this region with lead must be carried out. Radiographers must always minimise the need for repeat procedures.
Questions such as “Is this safe for my baby?” may arise due to patient concern. Radiographers must address these concerns, carefully choose words that will help a patient understand the risks of exposure and check that all the information has been understood. Patients need to be made aware of the full x-ray