From the American Society of Radiologic Technologists
15000 Central Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123-3917
Contact: Ceela McElveny, 800-444-2778, Ext. 1239
COMPROMISE SAFETY OF PATIENTS AND THEMSELVES
A majority of radiologic technologists believe that personnel shortages compromise their safety on the job, according to a survey recently released by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Nearly 2,900 radiologic technologists participated in the survey, which was mailed to 7,674 ASRT members in early 2001. The ASRT represents more than 93,000 radiologic technologists who work in every specialty area of diagnostic medical imaging and radiation therapy.
Radiologic technologists working in hospitals were most likely to believe their safety was at risk due to insufficient staffing. When asked “Do you feel health care personnel shortages compromise your occupational safety,” 80 percent of hospital-employed R.T.s who responded to the survey said “yes,” compared with 58 percent of R.T.s working in clinics or imaging centers, 49 percent of R.T.s working in private physician practices and 69 percent of R.T.s working in other types of facilities.
In the written comments section of the survey, many respondents noted that the personnel shortage has resulted in heavier workloads and longer shifts, leading to mental and physical stress, ergonomic injuries, needle-stick injuries and additional exposure to radiation.
“Fatigue from working six days a week causes accidents,” wrote one respondent. “I frequently hit my head or mash my fingers.” Another R.T. noted that she often has to skip lunches and breaks. The technologist wrote, “Shortages force us to work harder and longer hours, and exhaustion lowers our resistance to illness.”
Lifting patients was the most frequently mentioned cause of injury, with many respondents noting that they were required to lift or move patients by themselves because of the personnel shortage. “It is hard to safely transfer patients from the stretcher to the exam table without help,” said one respondent who works in a hospital. Another called the job “physically brutal.”
When asked whether they believed the safety of personnel affects the safety of patients, 93 percent of respondents said yes. “Because we are overworked, we are always in a hurry, always behind,” wrote one respondent. “This not only affects our safety, but also patient safety.”
“The less staff, the more a patient could be injured or fall,” explained one radiologic technologist. Another said, “When techs are too busy they get tired from being called out at night or just from a non-stop rushed work schedule. Techs tend to make mistakes which could compromise their safety and the safety of patients.”
The survey results emphasize the need to resolve staffing shortages in the radiology department, said ASRT President Allen Terrell, M.S., R.T.(R). “Radiologic technologists are endangering their own health and safety because they are working too long, too hard and too quickly,” he said. “Even worse, there is the possibility that patient care can be affected when there aren’t enough personnel available to do the work.”
Mr. Terrell suggested that employers consider hiring R.T. aides to assist registered radiologic technologists with nontechnical duties such as moving patients, stocking rooms, providing patient instructions and delivering films. He also urged employers to implement formal programs to ensure the safety of personnel and patients.
According to the survey, 90 percent of respondents work in a facility that has implemented a radiation protection program; 86 percent work for an employer with a biohazard protection program; 73 percent work in a facility that uses isolation procedures to protect against communicable diseases; and 68 percent of workplaces have a formal needle-protection policy.
“Employers should do everything within their power to ensure that the workplace is a safe environment, both for radiologic technologists and their patients,” said Mr. Terrell.
-ASRT-