On today's "teaser" episode, we will look at some answers to the following questions ... Get Ready! The whole MRI: Patient Anxiety show is coming up soon!

* What is MRI and how is it different than other modalities?

* What type of patient requires an MRI?

* What things are you looking for?

* What is the process of MRI?

* Why does it seem to be more difficult for patients?

* What implications does this have for facilities, patients, and providers?

* Historically, what has been done to alleviate patient anxiety?

* What is and how did you develop your technique?

* What is the data behind your method?

* What is your ultimate goal with the program?

Keywords: mri, radiation therapy, patient care, radiology, stress, anxiety, patient safety

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/nursing-assessment-a-multi-faceted-approach-to-patient-care

Cancer is not just one disease. There are many types of cancer. It’s not just one disease. Cancer can start in the lungs, the breast, the colon, or even in the blood. Cancers are alike in some ways, but they are different in the ways they grow and spread. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2018, 43% of new cases diagnosed in males will be made up of 3 types of cancer: prostate, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum. For the same time period in women, 50% of new cases will be attributed to breast cancer, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum. Lung and bronchus cancers remain the most deadly form of the disease, constituting 25% of deaths in men and 26% in women. We talk to Claire Ahalt, a Family Nurse Practioner, who gives us a comprehensive overview of the most commonly evaluated and treated cancers in a typical healthcare setting, as well as typical treatments and assessments required by those cancer patients.

 

Keywords: radiation therapy, chemotherapy, oncology, patient care, nurses, nursing, radiation therapists, radiation oncology, screening, cancer, nursing assessment

References:

https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines.html

https://www.cancer.org/

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE (FREE) QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/a-holistic-approach-to-breast-cancer-treatment

Dr. Katie Demming discusses a holistic approach to breast cancer treatment. Dr. Demming is a physician leader, inventor and entrepreneur who is transforming the cancer experience through collaboration and development of novel solutions. She completed her medical school, internship and residency in radiation oncology at Duke University. She is board certified in Radiation Oncology and specializes in breast cancer. She is also the founder of MAKEMERRY, the first line of bras specifically designed for women with sensitive skin from radiation treatments for breast cancer. MAKEMERRY is designed to look amazing and feel luxuriously soft against the most sensitive skin. And she provides a data supported answer to the age-old question, "can you wear deodorant during radiation treatments?"

 

Key words: breast cancer, treatment procedures, patient care, radiation therapy, skin care, patient education, cancer, oncology

References:

Avoiding antiperspirants during breast radiation therapy: Myth or sound advice? Baumann B.C., Zeng C., Freedman G.M., Verginadis I.I., MacArthur K.M., Lin L.L., Vachani C., (...), Metz J.M. (2017)  Radiotherapy and Oncology,  124  (2) , pp. 204-207.

P. Pommier, F. Gomez, M.P. Sunyach, A. D’Hombres, C. Carrie, and X. Montbarbon. (2004). Phase III Randomized Trial of Calendula Officinalis Compared With Trolamine for the Prevention of Acute Dermatitis During Irradiation for Breast Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 22.

Mometasone:

https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(18)30253-0/pdf

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/pet-ct-mri-oh-my

Multimodality imaging such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) plays an important role in accurately identifying both normal tissues and those that have become diseased. CT images are generally used for diagnosis, evaluation, and radiation therapy treatment planning. However, MRI images provide better softtissue definition. PET images are useful in identifying the disease at a metabolic level even before it is visible on CT or MRI scans. So, what about those RAD professionals that are educationally and clinically prepared to do one or more of these specialites? What does it mean to have certifications in multiple modalities and what is the difference between being certified and being cross-trained? What are the benefits, for professionals and for facilities?

Keywords: PET, CT, MRI, multimodality, xray, radiology, radiography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, oncology, patient care, arrt, asrt, continuingeducation, CEs, certification, licensure

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416058977000111

http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/safety/radiologic-technologist-requirements-vary-state

https://www.amazon.com/Radiation-Protection-Medical-Radiography-7e/dp/0323172202

Institute of Medicine.  To err is human: building a safer healthcare system.  National Academy of Sciences website.

http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/1999/To-Err-is-Human/To%20Err%20is%20Human%201999%20%20report%20brief.pdf

 

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/painting-with-a-purpose-immobilization-and-masks-for-pediatric-patients

Careful treatment planning and dose calculation, when combined with effective and comfortable patient positioning and immobilization, may improve the probability of tumor control. Advances in radiation therapy equipment have had a significant impact on the accuracy of dose calculation and delivery. However, actual patient repositioning and immobilization, which have the potential to allow for the greatest variance in precise treatment delivery, are exceedingly vital to successful patient outcomes. Methods of immobilization have evolved distinctively over time and represent, simply put, the link between reproducible patient set-ups and comprehensive treatment schemes. On today's show, we discuss the importance of effective immobilization and reviews a quick history of how we got to the methods that we use today. We are also going to the explore the buzz around painting masks with colorful characters and figures.

Keywords: radiation therapy, immobilization, radiation therapist, radiation oncology, pediatric, cancer, patient positioning, Orfit, Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, thermoplastic, mask, head and neck, oncology, procedures

https://www.orfit.com/blog/moulding-a-radiotherapy-mask-11-things-that-often-go-wrong-but-can-easily-be-avoided/

https://www.orfit.com/blog/tutorial-for-paediatric-mask-decoration-for-proton-therapy-nanor/

https://www.orfit.com/blog/the-value-in-decoration-of-paediatric-immobilization-masks/

https://www.orfit.com/blog/a-step-by-step-tutorial-for-paediatric-mask-decoration/

https://apps.ohsu.edu/health/knight-cancer/index.html

https://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/departments/clinical-departments/radiation-medicine/news/10-27-17update.cfm

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/real-talk-about-professionalism-and-ethics

A recent article described a person's work ethic as a representation of his or her character. A strong work ethic suggests that the person places a high value on doing a good job, as well as respecting others and functioning with integrity. Professionalism is a component of the concept of work ethic. Work ethic describes how a person comes to work and conducts him or herself on the job. How do you define professionalism and professional ethics?

Keywords: professionalism, ethics, ARRT, radiology, radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, CT, MRI, mammography, ASRT, CE

References:

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/meaning-professionalism-work-ethic-746.html

http://work.chron.com/code-ethics-american-society-radiologic-technologists-22342.html

https://www.abms.org/media/84742/abms-definition-of-medical-professionalism.pdf

https://www.arrt.org/docs/default-source/Governing-Documents/arrt-standards-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=12

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25391664

Passmore, Gina C., "Burnout In Radiation Therapy: Examining The Six Leading Influences" (2016). All Theses And Dissertations. 98.

(1.0 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/arrt-cqr-do-i-really-have-to-re-take-my-exam

On their website, the ARRT explains that in today’s healthcare environment, patients demand high quality care and accountability from their health care providers—so it’s important for medical professionals to routinely assess their knowledge and skills. By doing so, they become better prepared to meet changing standards. That’s why many credentialing organizations, including ARRT, have created long-term requirements (sometimes called time-limited certification) for maintaining credentials.

The ARRT process is called Continuing Qualifications Requirements or CQR. It is designed to help you assess and improve your knowledge—and your ability to provide high-quality patient care. CQR will also help you refresh your understanding of areas in which you might not currently practice.

Keywords: radiation therapy, radiography, radiology, nuclear medicine, CT, MRI, continuing education, CE, credit, ARRT, ASRT, CQR, xray, radiation therapist

References:

https://www.arrt.org/CQR

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/billing-coding-compliance-are-you-sure-this-is-right

The CPT® coding system offers doctors across the country a uniform process for coding medical services that streamlines reporting and increases accuracy and efficiency. For more than 5 decades, physicians and other health care professionals have relied on CPT to communicate with colleagues, patients, hospitals and insurers about the procedures they have performed. CPT descriptive terms and identifying codes currently serve a wide variety of important functions. This system of terminology is the most widely accepted medical nomenclature used to report medical procedures and services under public and private health insurance programs. CPT is also used for administrative management purposes such as claims processing and developing guidelines for medical care review. The uniform language is also applicable to medical education and research by providing a useful basis for local, regional and national utilization comparisons.

The learning objectives for this show are:

Define the terms billing, coding, and compliance

Learn the processes involved in system-wide billing and coding

Describe the role of ethics in compliance

Understand responsibilities of radiation sciences professionals in billing, coding, & compliance

Keywords: billing, coding, compliance, radiation therapy, radiology, audit, CPT, CMS

References:

https://www.legacybyimpact.com/

http://churchill.cqsapps.com/

https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt-code-process#CPT%20Process%20Resources

http://www.cruxqs.com/

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/publications/the_101_201_practice_series/an_introduction_to_whistleblower_qui_tam_claims.html

https://www.arrt.org/docs/default-source/Governing-Documents/arrt-standards-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=12

https://www.cgsmedicare.com/partb/pubs/news/2014/0314/cope24874.html

http://journal.ahima.org/2018/05/09/are-all-coding-denials-preventable/

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ! https://rad-cast.com/pet-ct-radiation-therapys-hot-little-friend/

In the simplest of terms a positron emission tomography, or PET scan, is an imaging test that allows your doctor to check for diseases in your body. The scan uses a special dye that has radioactive tracers. These tracers can either be swallowed, inhaled, or injected into a vein in the patient’s arm depending on what part of the body is being examined. Organs and tissues then absorb the tracer. When highlighted under a PET scanner, the tracers help doctors see how well organs and tissues are working. The tracer will collect in areas of higher chemical activity, which is helpful because a higher level of chemical activity is often associated with disease. These areas of disease will show up as bright spots on the PET scan. The PET scan can measure blood flow, oxygen use, how the body uses sugar, and much more. In the United States, around 2 million PET scans are performed each year.

After this podcast you should be able to:

Understand the basic concepts of PET/CT technology

Describe the patient process involved with PET/CT scanning

Recall commonly utilized PET radiopharmaceuticals

Describe PET applications as related to radiation therapy and to oncology patients

Understand PET applications regarding cardiac and neurology studies

Keywords: PET, CT, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, cancer, treatment planning

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4362600/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3581867/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3653214/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001299817300831#t0010

https://www.alz.org/research/science/earlier_alzheimers_diagnosis.asp

Church, J. (2018). The Role of PET-CT in Radiation Therapy Planning. Radiation Therapist, 27(1), 65-67.

(0.5 CE Credit)

TAKE THE QUIZ!https://rad-cast.com/iort-the-little-linacs-that-pack-a-powerful-punch/

IORT (Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy) involves the administration of a single dose of radiation during surgery, to eliminate any cancer tissue the surgeon is unable to remove. Thanks to mobile linear accelerators, high-energy accelerated electron beams, which deliver a very uniform dose of radiation to the target tissue in extremely short times, can now be used directly in the operating room. IORT, adopted worldwide, is an effective, safe method for the local control of cancers, reducing the risk of regrowth. (SIT, 2018).

After this podcast episode, you should be able to:

* Describe the process of treating with IORT or Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

* Understand the basic differences between kv and electron IORT

* Discuss various pathologies treated with IORT

* Explain the team approach associated with IORT

Keywords: radiation therapy, treatment planning, oncology, surgery, nuclear medicine, PET/CT, breast cancer

References:

http://www.soiort.com/en/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5493441/

https://ro-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13014-016-0754-z

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5244574/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941525/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28608393

https://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/intraoperative-radiation-therapy/