"Driving Forces" in the imaging department Part Duex

Teamwork really means a lot in the Imaging department. From the reception till the level of printout of radiographs and report, support staffs play pivotal role in ensuring all run smoothly.

At the registration counter, investigations ordered by clinicians are identified. Staffs at the registration will ensure that adequate preparations are in place (e.g. adequate fasting of at least 6 hours for upper abdominal ultrasound scan, full bladder for KUB scan etc). If patients require CT or MRI, patients will be given questionnaire to stratify their risk of adverse reaction to the contrast media. Patients' data is then entered into the centre network system for billing and filing purposes.

Once the registration process is complete, patients will be ushered to relevant investigation rooms for the study. Ultrasound scans are all done by qualified radiologists while all investigations requiring intravenous or intra-cavitary introduction of contrast will be administered by either a medical officer or the radiologist.

We take upmost care in ensuring that patients are kept under watchful eyes at all times during and after the scans.

Many are unsure of the distinction between radiologists and radiographers. Radiologists are medical doctors trained to perform and interpret the radiological findings whilst radiographers are degree or diploma qualified professionals whose main task is to acquire images for interpretation. Having said this, it is no surprise that the radiographers must be of adequate training in order to generate high quality images for interpretation. Radiographs must constantly read on imaging techniques to perfect their skills. This is a daunting task as well as they have to familiarise themselves with many modalities, including plain radiography, CT scan, Ultrasound, contrast studies etc.

Pictures featured in this article are taken during a lunch gathering sponsored by the youngest member of the team, Radiographer Ho, celebrating his first salary.