Radiology Technician Allegedly Deviates From Patient Supervision Protocol

Case Overview

This case involves a 41-year-old male patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis who suffered injuries after falling from an x-ray table. Before the x-ray was conducted, the patient requested assistance getting onto the table. The technician then stepped out of the room towards the end of the exam without notifying the patient as to why. The patient attempted to slide to the edge of the table to get off. As he was sliding forward, he fell to the floor. He began to yell for assistance but the technician did not return to the room for over 5 minutes. As a result, the patient suffered back and arm injuries. It was alleged that the technician did not follow the proper protocol for helping patients on and off the x-ray table.

Questions to the Radiology expert and their responses

What is the proper procedure when assisting a patient on and off an x-ray table?

Technologist should assist patients on and off of the x-ray table. The tech should stay within eyesight of the patient or have another staff member stay with the patient in the event the tech needs to leave. Patients should not be left alone on an exam table.

Should the patient be closely monitored throughout x-rays and tests?

In a typical x-ray setting, the technologist is in the room with the patient. The technologist stands in a control area where the tech sets up the techniques and exposes the patient to radiation. All x-ray control areas have a window lined with lead in order to see the patient.

About the expert

This expert has over 30 years of experience in the field of radiologic technology. She completed specialized training in radiology technology at both Mercy Medical Center School of Radiology and at Johns Hopkins School of MRI and earned her BS from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Today, she is certified in radiography, mammography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. She is active in her field as a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. Formerly, she has held roles as a radiology technologist at several major hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region, including St. Joseph Trauma Center and St. Mary?s Hospital Bon Secours Health System, and has served as a manager of several radiology procedures at Chesapeake Medical Imaging. Currently, she serves as the manager of radiology at a major hospital in Virginia, where she oversees CT, diagnostic inpatient and outpatient, interventional, and ultrasound radiology.

E-006277

Specialties:

Radiology

Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.

Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.

Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.