Finishing first semester of clinical rotation.

I haven't had much experience in CT during the month of July because of staffing. August is more promising. This week in CT we scanned a patient for kidney stones and found an abdominal aortic aneurysm. We scanned a patient for abdominal pain and found a mass on her left kidney. I also got to be involved in a thyroid biopsy. I have had the experience of scanning a cervical spine, a few brains, necks, one wrist and many CAP's and AP's for various pathology. We don't see any trauma since we are a out patient facility. A large majority of our patients are cancer patients. All in all, I feel this first clinical semester has been great with lots of learning opportunity. I still have so much to learn. I am excited at the prospect of two more semesters of clincals this coming fall and spring.

Chest Tube Placements for Pneumothorax

Since many of our patients are being treated for cancer, we see quite a few lung biopsies in our CT department. Sometimes this procedure will lead to a pneumothorax. A few weeks ago, we had a patient that came to us for a lung biopsy for a suspicious area in her left lung. The biopsy itself went well. However, the patient encountered a pneumothorax during or after the biopsy. This was found on her immediate chest xray that was taken right after her biopsy. It was a significant pneumo, so we set up for a chest tube placement.The chest tube was placed in the pleural space after the patient was injected with a local anesthetic. It was then attached to a syringe to provide suction to re-inflate the lung. The radiologist then sutured the chest tube to stay in place. Unfortunately, the chest tube dislodged, and a few hours later the patient had the procedure perfomed again. The chest tube stayed in for two days and was removed. The patient fully recovered.

I Can Scan!!

Over the past few weeks, I have successfully learned to scan sinuses, chests, CAP's , and a few brains. I am feeling more confident behind the scanner. Stressing to the patient that they must lay as still as possible is so important. I am understanding the arterial and venous phases and smart prep. I am familiar with the different contrasts and contraindications. CT is a fast paced environment where you are always thinking two steps ahead. This is hard to do when you are learning. I am learning about different injection rates for different exams. CT anatomy is so important to learn. I am learning from two seasoned techs that really know their stuff! They are showing me how to check adrenal , for bladder rinds and free fluid. I have witnessed some aortic aneurysms on scans. I have also seen some massive gall stones in the gallbladder! Everyday, I realize how much more there is to learn and that some things just come from years of experience.

So Much to Learn

For the past few weeks, I have been learning about recons, series, coronal reformats and smart prep. There are also many different protocols to learn. Just when I think I'm starting to understand, I am thrown a curve ball. I am concentrating on learning to scan chests, abdomens and sinuses. This past week I heard the term "high res chest". We scanned a patient as a high resolution chest. It is not a helical scan. It is performed in a bone algorithm with the patient prone. There are no reformats or recons. We emphasize to the patient the importance of taking the same type of breaths every time they breath during the scan. They are scanned multiple times with each slice 10mm or 1cm apart. The exam is performed with patients that are suspected of having sarcoidosis, ground glass disease and chemical exposure to the lungs.

First week in CT

Hi!
My name is Seaneen. I live in Lafayette, Indiana. I work at Innervision Advanced Medical Imaging. I work in xray and special procedures. I am cross training into CT. I am currently working on my bachelors degree and hope to take the CT registry next year. I am overwhelmed as well as excited to learn CT. I have two great CT techs that have been extremely helpful and patient while introducing to me to this whole new world! I think I have mastered loading up the contrast, turning the room over and removing IV's. I take tons of notes while observing scans. Jim and Diann, the CT techs, have been great putting me at the console and explaining different protocols. They have many years of experience and I am honored to learn from both of them. I am amazed at the proficient daily routine they maintain, and they are always two steps ahead of the game! I hope one day I can perform as well as they do. In our CT department, approximately eighty percent of our patients are cancer protocols and they frequently return for future scans. Jim and Diann have built a friendship and rapport with the patients and work hard at making their experience warm and pleasant. We do not see much trauma. I feel like the past few days, I am grasping the routine on basic exams like an abdomen/pelvis. The console looks so overwhelming as well as all of the quick mouse clicks! Hopefully, next time I write I will telling you about my first solo scan!!