Radiologic Technology & Radiologic Technology & ProfessionalismProfessionalism

1.1. Code of Ethics for RadiographyCode of Ethics for Radiography2.2. Principles / Rules of professional Principles / Rules of professional

conduct for RTsconduct for RTs3.3. Legal aspects Legal aspects 4.4. Patients rights when entering a Patients rights when entering a

health care institutionhealth care institution

IntroductionIntroduction Radiography is oriented to the diagnosis Radiography is oriented to the diagnosis

and treatment of human disease.and treatment of human disease. Therefore RTs have to work in intimate Therefore RTs have to work in intimate

contact with people on a daily basis.contact with people on a daily basis. The RT has a commitment to accept the The RT has a commitment to accept the

code of ethics of the profession and all code of ethics of the profession and all that it entails.that it entails.

They are faced daily with situations that They are faced daily with situations that may have ethical an legal implications for may have ethical an legal implications for them.them.

…………..Introduction continued..Introduction continued Most healthcare is oriented towards effective Most healthcare is oriented towards effective

communication.communication. Health care professions should develop a way of Health care professions should develop a way of

communication with patients that is therapeutic.communication with patients that is therapeutic. The RT will be working with patients who have The RT will be working with patients who have

serious, often terminal illness.serious, often terminal illness. He must be able to relate to them in an He must be able to relate to them in an

understanding an sensitive manner.understanding an sensitive manner. Competence in this area of communication Competence in this area of communication

requires an understanding of the grieving process requires an understanding of the grieving process and understanding of one’s own feelings about and understanding of one’s own feelings about death and dying.death and dying.

…….Introduction continued.Introduction continued Therefore the student must ask himself Therefore the student must ask himself

the following questionsthe following questions1.1. Am I prepared to accept and practice this Am I prepared to accept and practice this

profession and support the ethics of this profession and support the ethics of this profession?profession?

2.2. Am I prepared to accept and practice this Am I prepared to accept and practice this profession and avoid violations of law?profession and avoid violations of law?

3.3. Am I willing to learn to relate to my patients in Am I willing to learn to relate to my patients in a professional and therapeutic manner?a professional and therapeutic manner?

If ‘Yes’ you are ready to proceedIf ‘Yes’ you are ready to proceed

Professional EthicsProfessional EthicsCode of Ethics for Code of Ethics for

Radiography / Radiologic Radiography / Radiologic TechnologyTechnology

Formulated by American Formulated by American Society of Radiologic Society of Radiologic

TechnologyTechnology

Principle 1Principle 1

The RT functions efficiently & The RT functions efficiently & effectively, demonstrating conduct effectively, demonstrating conduct and attitudes reflecting the and attitudes reflecting the profession.profession.1.1 Responds to patient needs1.1 Responds to patient needs

1.2 Performs tasks competently1.2 Performs tasks competently

1.3 Supports colleagues and associates in 1.3 Supports colleagues and associates in providing quality patient careproviding quality patient care

Principle 2Principle 2 The RT provides service to patients The RT provides service to patients

without discriminationwithout discrimination2.12.1 Exhibits no prejudice for sex, race, Exhibits no prejudice for sex, race,

creed, religioncreed, religion

2.22.2 Provides service without regard to Provides service without regard to social or economic statussocial or economic status

2.32.3 Delivers care unrestricted by concerns Delivers care unrestricted by concerns for personal attributes, or nature of the for personal attributes, or nature of the disease or illnessdisease or illness

Principle 3Principle 3

The RT practices technology founded The RT practices technology founded on scientific basis.on scientific basis.3.13.1 Applies theoretical knowledge an Applies theoretical knowledge an

concepts in the performance of tasks concepts in the performance of tasks appropriate to the practiceappropriate to the practice

3.23.2 Utilizes equipment and accessories Utilizes equipment and accessories consistent with the purpose for which consistent with the purpose for which they have been designed.they have been designed.

3.33.3 Employs procedures and techniques Employs procedures and techniques appropriately, efficiently, and effectivelyappropriately, efficiently, and effectively

Principle 4Principle 4

The RT exercises care, discretion, The RT exercises care, discretion, and judgment in the practice of the and judgment in the practice of the profession.profession.4.1 Assumes responsibility for 4.1 Assumes responsibility for

professional decisions.professional decisions.

4.2 Assess situations and acts in the best 4.2 Assess situations and acts in the best interest of the patient.interest of the patient.

Principle 5Principle 5

The RT provides the physician with The RT provides the physician with pertinent information relate to diagnosis pertinent information relate to diagnosis and treatment of the patientand treatment of the patient5.1 Complies with the fact that diagnosis and 5.1 Complies with the fact that diagnosis and

interpretation are outside the scope of practice interpretation are outside the scope of practice for the professionfor the profession

5.2 Acts as an agent to obtain medical 5.2 Acts as an agent to obtain medical information through observation and information through observation and communication to aid the physician in communication to aid the physician in diagnosis and treatment management.diagnosis and treatment management.

Principle 6Principle 6

The RT is responsible for protecting The RT is responsible for protecting the patient , self, and others from the patient , self, and others from unnecessary radiation.unnecessary radiation.6.1 Performs service with competence an 6.1 Performs service with competence an

expertise.expertise.

6.2 Utilizes equipment and accessories to 6.2 Utilizes equipment and accessories to limit radiation exposure to self and other limit radiation exposure to self and other members of the health-care team members of the health-care team

Principle 7Principle 7

The RT practices ethical conduct The RT practices ethical conduct befitting the professionbefitting the profession7.1 Protects the patient’s right to quality 7.1 Protects the patient’s right to quality

radiologic technology care.radiologic technology care.7.2 Provides the public with information 7.2 Provides the public with information

related to the profession and its related to the profession and its functions.functions.

7.3 Supports the profession by 7.3 Supports the profession by maintaining and upgrading professional maintaining and upgrading professional standards.standards.

Principle 8Principle 8

The RT respects confidences entrusted The RT respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice.in the course of professional practice.

8.1 Protects the patients right to privacy8.1 Protects the patients right to privacy

8.2 keeps confidential, information relating to 8.2 keeps confidential, information relating to patients, colleagues, and associates.patients, colleagues, and associates.

8.3 Reveals confidential information only as 8.3 Reveals confidential information only as required by law or to protect the welfare of the required by law or to protect the welfare of the individual or the community.individual or the community.

Principle 9Principle 9

The RT recognizes that continuing The RT recognizes that continuing education is vital to maintaining and education is vital to maintaining and advancing the professionadvancing the profession9.1 Participates as a student in learning 9.1 Participates as a student in learning

activities appropriate to specific areas of activities appropriate to specific areas of responsibility as well as to the scope of responsibility as well as to the scope of practice.practice.

9.2 Shares knowledge with colleagues9.2 Shares knowledge with colleagues9.3 Investigates new and innovative 9.3 Investigates new and innovative

aspects of professional practiceaspects of professional practice

Principle 10Principle 10

The RT acts to advance the principle The RT acts to advance the principle objective of the profession to provide objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankindthe dignity of mankind10.1 Participates in and actively supports the 10.1 Participates in and actively supports the

professional organizations for RTprofessional organizations for RT10.2 Acts as a representative for the profession 10.2 Acts as a representative for the profession

and the tenets for which it standsand the tenets for which it stands10.3 Serves as an advocate of professional policy 10.3 Serves as an advocate of professional policy

and procedure to colleagues and associates in and procedure to colleagues and associates in the health-care delivery system.the health-care delivery system.

Principles of Principles of professional Conductprofessional Conduct

Principles of professional conduct for Principles of professional conduct for Radiographers / Radiologic Radiographers / Radiologic

TechnologistsTechnologists These principles/rules are intended These principles/rules are intended

to serve as a guide by which RTs to serve as a guide by which RTs may evaluate their professional may evaluate their professional conduct as it relates to patients, conduct as it relates to patients, colleagues, other members of the colleagues, other members of the medical care team, healthcare medical care team, healthcare consumers, and employers and to consumers, and employers and to assist RTs in maintaining a high level assist RTs in maintaining a high level of ethical conductof ethical conduct

Principle 1Principle 1

The RT shall conduct themselves in a The RT shall conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the dignity manner compatible with the dignity an professional standards of their an professional standards of their professionprofession

Principle 2Principle 2

RT shall provide services with RT shall provide services with consideration of human dignity an consideration of human dignity an the needs of the patient, unrestricted the needs of the patient, unrestricted by consideration of age, sex, race, by consideration of age, sex, race, creed, social or economic status, creed, social or economic status, handicap, personal attributes, or the handicap, personal attributes, or the nature of the health problemnature of the health problem

Principle 3Principle 3

RT shall make every effort to protect RT shall make every effort to protect all patients from unnecessary all patients from unnecessary radiationradiation

Principle 4Principle 4

RT should exercise and accept RT should exercise and accept responsibility for independent responsibility for independent discretion an judgment in the discretion an judgment in the performance of their professional performance of their professional servicesservices

Principle 5Principle 5

RT should shall judiciously protect RT should shall judiciously protect the patient’s right to privacy and the patient’s right to privacy and shall maintain all patient information shall maintain all patient information in the strictest confidencein the strictest confidence

Principle 6Principle 6

RT shall apply only methods of RT shall apply only methods of technology founded upon a scientific technology founded upon a scientific basis and not employ those methods basis and not employ those methods that violate this principlethat violate this principle

Principle 7Principle 7

RT shall not diagnose, but in RT shall not diagnose, but in recognition of their responsibility to recognition of their responsibility to the patient, they shall provide the the patient, they shall provide the physician with all information they physician with all information they have relative to radiologic diagnosis have relative to radiologic diagnosis or patient managementor patient management

Principle 8Principle 8

RT shall be responsible for reporting RT shall be responsible for reporting unethical conduct and illegal unethical conduct and illegal professional activities to the professional activities to the appropriate authoritiesappropriate authorities

Principle 9Principle 9

RT should continually strive to RT should continually strive to improve their knowledge and skills improve their knowledge and skills by participating in educational and by participating in educational and professional activities and sharing professional activities and sharing the benefits or their attainments with the benefits or their attainments with their colleaguestheir colleagues

Principle 10Principle 10

RT should protect the public from RT should protect the public from misinformation and misinformation and misrepresentation.misrepresentation.

Legal aspects of Radiologic Legal aspects of Radiologic TechnologyTechnology

All patients who present themselves for All patients who present themselves for care in a health-care institution are care in a health-care institution are protected by the Patient’s Bill of Rights.protected by the Patient’s Bill of Rights.

It delineates the rights that the patient has It delineates the rights that the patient has as a consumer of health care.as a consumer of health care.

All healthcare workers are required to All healthcare workers are required to adhere to the provisions of this bill.adhere to the provisions of this bill.

The Patient’s Bill of Right in The Patient’s Bill of Right in AmericaAmerica

1.1. The patient has the right to The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.considerate and respectful care.

2.2. The patient has the right to obtain The patient has the right to obtain from his physician complete current from his physician complete current information concerning his information concerning his diagnosis, treatment, an prognosis diagnosis, treatment, an prognosis in terms the patient can be in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to reasonably expected to understand…………understand…………

The patient’s Bill ……The patient’s Bill ……3.3. The patient has the right to receive The patient has the right to receive

from his physician information from his physician information necessary to give informed consent necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure prior to the start of any procedure and treatment……and treatment……

4.4. The patient has the right to refuse The patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of his action. medical consequences of his action.

The patient’s Bill ……The patient’s Bill ……5.5. The patient has the right to every The patient has the right to every

consideration of his privacy consideration of his privacy concerning his own medical care concerning his own medical care programme. Case discussion, programme. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in his Those not directly involved in his case must have the permission of case must have the permission of the patient to be present.the patient to be present.

6.6. ……………………………………………………

Informed ConsentInformed Consent

Many procedures performed in diagnostic Many procedures performed in diagnostic imaging departments require special imaging departments require special consent forms to be signed by the patient, consent forms to be signed by the patient, or in the case of minor children or other or in the case of minor children or other special cases, by their parents or legal special cases, by their parents or legal representative.representative.

The RT must be familiar with the The RT must be familiar with the procedures that require special consentprocedures that require special consent

It is his duty to recheck the patients chart It is his duty to recheck the patients chart (BHT) to be certain that this has been (BHT) to be certain that this has been accomplishedaccomplished

Medical recordsMedical records

The ‘chart’ or the BHT has documented on The ‘chart’ or the BHT has documented on it, up to date records of all patient visits, it, up to date records of all patient visits, treatments, medications, and medical treatments, medications, and medical procedures etc.procedures etc.

This is to transmit information about the This is to transmit information about the patient from one health worker to another, patient from one health worker to another, to protect the patient from medical error, to protect the patient from medical error, to provide information for medical to provide information for medical research, an to protect the health worker research, an to protect the health worker in case of litigation.in case of litigation.

This should include……….?This should include……….?

CommunicationCommunication

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