Best Practices for Radiographers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Radiographers or Radiological Technologists (RTs) as health professionals are called
upon to stand up to the circumstances and to modify practical applications to deal
with suspected and confirmed cases of Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19). They
perform chest X-ray examinations and Computed Tomography scans, which are key
tools for diagnosing and monitoring patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). They are also an integral part of the departments of
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Mammography, Orthopantomography
- Cephalometric, Bone Density Measurement, and Interventional
Radiology – Hemodynamic. The purpose of this article is to provide RTs guidance
throughout the scope of their work and to keep the Hospital community informed.
They are required to fully adhere to personal protective equipment (PPE) practices,
such as the use of gloves, high-protection mask, special clothing, eye and feet protection.
They should maintain safety distance and come into as little contact as possible
with the patients. It is necessary to thoroughly disinfect and use protection for all their
work components, stable or not. There should be separated spaces, in the presence
suspicious and confirmed cases, as well as the rational distribution of staff in their
workstations and their continuous training and briefing. RTs are present in medium
and high-risk zones. As they are potential virus carriers in hospital units, PPE must
be applied and strictly monitored. Moreover, workplaces should adapt to the current
precautionary measures to ensure personal and occupational safety.