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.
For more information on Medical Tests, click on the icon to the left.
Last Modified:
July 27, 2007 10:29 AM
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