OR Coordinator

[orjude]

Is it within an RN's scope of practice to operating a C-Arm with a doctor's order and with the doctor being in the OR. Some of our doctors do use the pedal to operate the C-Arm, so the nurse is just positioning it. We do have a few doctors that request the nurse to actually take the picture. There is a lot of concern within the nursing staff that this is out of our scope of practice. We need some feedback on the subject and an avenue for documentation to support us. Thanks for you help!

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Your facility should have a policy on this an you need to take this up the chain of command. Unless you are a licensed radiology technician who has had the training to use this potentially dangerous piece of equipment, I would be surprised if it is allowed.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

We've been told dr has pedal or rad tech. We are not to activate the unit.

[Sankofa84]

There are stipulations that make it out of our scope. Agreed that we do not have the training etc to operate the equipment. In the OR i work...I just position the arm if Rad-Tech isnt there and will tell the surgeon "the pedal is right by your foot...have fun". Goes for lasers also...I do not initiate laser for obvious reasons.

[wakyone]

We do nothing with the C-arm; not even position it or bring it in the room. If the doctor is impatient he can get it himself, which they never will. Scope of practice has never been mentioned; if any damage occurs to the C-arm with no rad tech present, repairs come out of OR budget, not Radiology's. So it's the $$$ talking.

[Argo]

It is definitely outside of your scope to "push the button" you can move and position it if your facility allows it. The physician can use the foot pedal also if your facility allows it. You have to go to school and get licensed as a rad tech if you want to push the button. My wife was a rad tech for a few years.....

[cdsga]

It may vary from state to state. I would check your state's medical practice act to be sure. This may become more prevalent when staffing issues arise or if in a very rural area with limited resources. To be safe, if the patient is stable and not emergent, I would wait until there are qualified rad techs available. Dr. may be mad, but then call your supervisor to back you up on the possible delay.