The hospital defines and verifies qualifications and education requirements for imaging servi...

(1)

Technologists who perform diagnostic computed tomography (CT) exams have advanced-level certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) in computed tomography or have one of the following qualifications: - State licensure that permits them to perform diagnostic CT exams and documented training on the provision of diagnostic CT exams - Registration and certification in radiography by ARRT and documented training on the provision of diagnostic CT exams - Certification in nuclear medicine technology by ARRT or NMTCB and documented training on the provision of diagnostic CT exams Note 1: This element of performance does not apply to CT exams performed for therapeutic radiation treatment planning or delivery or for calculating attenuation coefficients for nuclear medicine studies. Note 2: This element of performance does not apply to dental cone beam CT radiographic imaging studies performed for diagnosis of conditions affecting the maxillofacial region or to obtain guidance for the treatment of such conditions.

(2)

The hospital verifies and documents that diagnostic medical physicists who support computed tomography (CT) services have board certification in diagnostic radiologic physics or radiologic physics by the American Board of Radiology, in diagnostic imaging physics by the American Board of Medical Physics, or in diagnostic radiological physics by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine or meet all of the following requirements: - A graduate degree in physics, medical physics, biophysics, radiologic physics, medical health physics, or a closely related science or engineering discipline from an accredited college or university - College coursework in the biological sciences with at least one course in biology or radiation biology and one course in anatomy, physiology, or a similar topic related to the practice of medical physics - Documented experience in a clinical CT environment conducting at least 10 CT performance evaluations under the direct supervision of a board-certified medical physicist Note: This element of performance does not apply to dental cone beam CT radiographic imaging studies performed for diagnosis of conditions affecting the maxillofacial region or to obtain guidance for the treatment of such conditions.

(3)

The hospital verifies and documents that individuals who perform diagnostic computed tomography (CT) examinations participate in ongoing education that includes annual training on the following: - Radiation dose optimization techniques and tools for pediatric and adult patients addressed in the Image Gently® and Image Wisely® campaigns - Safe procedures for operation of the types of CT equipment they will use Note 1: Information on the Image Gently and Image Wisely initiatives can be found online at https://www.imagegently.org and https://www.imagewisely.org, respectively. Note 2: This element of performance does not apply to CT systems used for therapeutic radiation treatment planning or delivery or for calculating attenuation coefficients for nuclear medicine studies. Note 3: This element of performance does not apply to dental cone beam CT radiographic imaging studies performed for diagnosis of conditions affecting the maxillofacial region or to obtain guidance for the treatment of such conditions.

(4)

The hospital verifies and documents that technologists who perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations participate in ongoing education, including annual training on safe MRI practices in the MRI environment that addresses the following: - Patient screening criteria that address ferromagnetic items, electrically conductive items, medical implants and devices, and risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis - Proper patient and equipment positioning activities to avoid thermal injuries - Equipment and supplies that have been determined to be acceptable for use in the MRI environment (MR safe or MR conditional) - MRI safety response procedures for patients who require urgent or emergent medical care - MRI system emergency shutdown procedures, such as MRI system quench and cryogen safety procedures - Patient hearing protection - Management of patients with claustrophobia, anxiety, or emotional distress Note: Terminology for defining the safety of items in the magnetic resonance environment is provided in ASTM F2503 Standard Practice for Marking Medical Devices and Other Items for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance Environment (http://www.astm.org).