Radiology 2-4-13 & 2-6-13

Learning Report:

What were your responsibilities this week?
This week, I worked with 3 radiology technicians and observed them for two days. I saw a variety of people get x-rays the second day and learned many things about radiology and procedures the first day. I visited the PACU and got to see an x-ray being done on a patient who was unconscious.

What new knowledge or skill did you learn this week?
I learned that the radiation from x-rays can cause cancer and lead aprons are used to prevent that. I saw pictures of X-rays  and learned how the radiologists are able to tell what is wrong with the patient through the coloring and shapes present in the body. The patient has to have an X-ray taken from different angles, because the injury may show from one angle, but not the other. I learned about various diseases that can be discovered through X-rays.

What was the best thing that happened at the unpaid work-based learning site this week?
The best thing that happened at Radiology was that I had an opportunity to see how X-rays are done and that was actually very interesting! The employees were also very kind and informative, so I learned a lot in this area of the hospital!

What was the worst thing that happened at the unpaid work-based leaning site this week?
 The worst thing that happened was that on the first day, I had to wait a while in the tech room before a radiologist technician actually showed up. But when one of them showed up, I began to learn a lot and it made up for the few minutes of waiting.

This week was: Good
I got a majority of my task sheet complete and got to see many people get x-rays. The week always goes fantastic when I learn a lot! Also, the employees made everything fun to learn!

Experience Record:

Technology observed: X-ray, Fluoroscope, MRI, CAT scan, computers, printers
Diagnostic procedures observed: MRI, X-ray, CAT scan
Therapeutic procedures observed: MRI, X-ray, CAT scan
Diseases/disorders observed: colonoscopies, pneumonia
Medical terminology/abbreviations encountered: Cholecystogram, mammogram, radiology

Learning Experience Journal:

  When I walked in, I was directed towards the tech room where most students wait. There was a lot of technology everywhere. Int he X-ray room, there was a corner where students stand so they aren't effected by the radiation. The employees I worked with were radiology technicians, so they took X-rays of the patients and observe the X-rays. The radiologist then comes and determines what is wrong with the patient. The entire facility answers phone calls, collects X-rays into their computer for the radiologist to see, interact with the patient and perform procedures necessary to determine the injury or disease. Equipment used in radiology are lead aprons to prevent radiation. Technology utilized includes X-rays, MRI's, CAT scans, Fluoroscopy which is a video, computers that are touch screen and printers to print pictures and reports.
  I observed how the radiology technician puts the lead aprons on the patient and how the patient has to turn to different angles to get the x-ray. The health care professionals were very kind and informative to the patient and to me as well. They all had great teaming skills as they worked together on one patient if there was a problem. They communicated very informally with each other though, but around the patient they were very sophisticated. Safety procedures include wearing a lead apron for protection against radiation. After taking the X-ray, the radiologist can determine what is wrong with the patient and can diagnose them with a disease or injury.
  The radiologist actually have an important job and need to know their anatomy really well. I learned about air bubbles in the lungs, how they x-ray is done, when to know if the gallbladder needs to be removed, how to know if the patient has pneumonia, and about various breaks of the bone. Medical terminology I encountered includes radiology- ology being the "study of", cholecystogram- cyst, mammogram-mamm. I learned how to position the patient who is present for the x-ray.
  I really enjoyed radiology and the employees made everything fun to learn! It does seem pretty interesting to me and I may look into this career. If I decide to become a radiologist or a radiology technician, my experience in this area will help me know what to be prepared for. If I am asked about anything in radiology, the information I have learned will help me answer the questions and I now know how the area functions.

This is an  X-Ray of a patient's rib cage