fluro during bronch

sharona97, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2008

My unit regularly does bronchs in a suite near the GI lab. During many bronchs we use fluro to guide the needle for biopsy collection. I have been doing this for a year now and it just dawned on me no one in the room has any training at all on fluro. Usually the RN does the moderate sedation, RT does the scope and nebs, etc and the doctor does the bronch. The RN's usually set up the fluro, aim it, and actually operate the footpedal for the doctor. How big a deal is it that no one in the room has any training at all?

When I worked in Specialties (heart Cath Lab), the RT did the fluro, moving of the bed, angle of camera, etc. However, when I scrubbed for a case, the RT always did the table managment, while I assisted the doctor. The fluro was instructed by the doc performing the procedure. The RN managed the meds IV, paddles in a code, etc. I am wondering if RT you are referring to resp therapist and I am referring to radiology tech.......

If this is the case, then I would think a rad tech would be needed, but who knows how each policy is followed per establishment. Probably not much help, sorry.

mak2 · Feb 1, 2008

No actually I am refering to respriatory therapist that I suppose is suppose to be responsible for the Fluro. I can show policy moderate sedation RN's dont even answer the phone, just monitor the patient. In my hospital radiology refuses to participate. This is my point. I talked to the doctors involved, not one is trained. I just want to make sure I am not going crazy, sometimes I do. This does seem like a no brainer.

sharona97, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2008

No actually I am refering to respriatory therapist that I suppose is suppose to be responsible for the Fluro. I can show policy moderate sedation RN's dont even answer the phone, just monitor the patient. In my hospital radiology refuses to participate. This is my point. I talked to the doctors involved, not one is trained. I just want to make sure I am not going crazy, sometimes I do. This does seem like a no brainer.

I totally agree with you. A rad tech is needed in a fluro specialty lab. No matter where the procedure is taking place. We did not have a phone in the lab, real close but I think you get my drift.

The reason I agree with mandating a rad tech is to agree that clearly all in th room are there for there specialty and if a code situation develops you don't have the specialty folks doing a job out of their arena.

Why would the rad dept refuse? Really makes no sense. Possibly political, or management and budget BS.

mak2 · Feb 2, 2008

It is political. Fluro in the bronch room has been grounded until everyone is trained. I do like working where I do becasue usually they do the right thing when something wrong is brought to their attention.

sharona97, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2008

It is political. Fluro in the bronch room has been grounded until everyone is trained. I do like working where I do becasue usually they do the right thing when something wrong is brought to their attention.

That's good to know. So maybe things will change. Health Care changes constantly. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for who knows why........

I belive strongly that there are different departments with trained and skilled personnel for a reason. To facilitate the patient and help the MD, working in their scope of practice.

I had an MD trying to make me put his infected surgical patients on an antibiotic.......walked from that job.

Hope things get better organized, sounds like they will!

mak2 · Feb 5, 2008

There are problems everywhere. Good to work someplace willng to fix them.