As a Medical Radiation Technologist, I am a member of the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario and I am protected by the organization that I work at. As a Technologist, I interact with many professions in the hospital setting. Routine portable x-rays allow me to interact with Nurses and Physicians in the Emergency Department and Inpatient units. The interactions could range from providing transfer of information regarding the patients status or requesting assistance to position a patient for their x-rays. For ICU patients arriving for CT scans, this often gave me the opportunity to also interact with Respiratory Therapists and medical residents/fellows. During CTs, is important to communicate with a team bringing a patient to the department to ensure there is adequate consent from the patient (or substitute decision maker) to proceed with the CT scan and possible IV contrast. Additionally, anytime a patient transfer is needed, communication with regards to a safe transfer is important, especially if the patient is hooked up to IVs or respiratory devices. When working in the Fracture Clinic, I would often interact with Orthopedic Technicians, Orthopedic Surgeons, and other administrative staff members. Often, communication is required the orthopedic surgeon and Technologist to clarify whether the x-ray requested is the correct x-ray to be done. Patients often arrive for an x-ray, and when asked what procedure they are having done, it does not always coincide with the x-ray request that was entered. Another area I would work was the OR as x-ray Technologists provide imaging support in the OR. During such procedures, I (or any Technologist) would interact with Surgeons, OR Nurses, Anesthesiologists, and OR attendants. A nurse calls a pager to signal a Technologist that they are needed in the OR. Upon arrival, there is communication with the circulating nurse with regards to verifying patient demographics and what imaging is required. Information regarding the readiness to proceed with the imaging procedure during the OR, or the correct placement of the imaging equipment would need to be verified with the surgeon prior or after an image is taken. In addition to all of the above, as a healthcare professional, I would also often interact with housekeeping staff, porters, and ward clerks for day to day workflows. As many others have mentioned, communication across professions is a key role in healthcare. Given the interaction of so many different professions and the differences in each patient, it is important to have clear communication so that errors and safety events could be mitigated. Given our main focus is our patients and ultimately their safety, it is the role of everyone in a patient's circle of care to take the extra time to make sure every step is taken to provide the best care possible.
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