OBSERVATION POLICY

Imaging Services examinations are essential in detecting physical abnormalities and are a serious and sometimes stressful procedure. The purpose of the Imaging Services Observer Policy is to provide a mechanism and process for spouses, significant others and parents to be present during a procedure in Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, C.T., MRI or Diagnostic studies when the patient’s condition or the situation permits.

Policy Statement
The role of an adult observer in Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, C.T., MRI or Diagnostic studies is to provide support and comfort to their family member or friend while not obstructing the examination or interrupting the work of the technologist. The technologist is empowered and has the right to make the decision to allow or disallow observers on a per-patient basis. The Director of Radiology will be consulted as necessary.

Occasionally, several hospital staff members are involved in providing patient services during a test and space is ssometimes limited. If space limitation inhibits the care of the patient, the observer will be asked to wait in the waiting room until the exam is completed, or until there is again space for them to be present. It is our goal to help avoid conflicts and meet the needs of our customers whenever possible within the hospital environment.

Procedure
Observers and patient will be informed by the technologist that they are not allowed to give a diagnosis or make any comments about the exam they are performing. The patient will also be informed that a qualified radiologist will interpret the exam and the results will be sent to their referring physician. It is the responsibility of the patients' physician to discuss the test results with their patients.

This procedure will be explained before the test to help alleviate any disappointment or misunderstanding on the part of the patient or the observer as to the role of the observer or technologist. Personal requests for an adult to accompany a child or spouse will only be denied in the case of a trauma situation or if the needs of the patient and/or ability of the technologist to perform the exam according to protocol are in any way compromised. Physicians will inform patients about this policy before they come to the hospital for any diagnostic testing.

Last Modified: February 7, 2007 12:40 PM

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