I'm sorry to say our radiologists are fairly typical examples, who are
difficult to find at the best of times (even when you're working closely
with them they disappear without notice!), and in 6 months I have never seen
on in Cas( I heard one once had to go to the Resuscitation Room, but needed
to ask for directions).
However, we have two radiographers who have completed the image
interpretation course and report on trauma films. One radiographer was part
of the team, and was able to make the decision to do trauma obliques (and
was able to interpret the views to help the S.H.O.).
As a general observation, I tend to see SHO's preferring to use their
seniors (if available) before going on a radiologist hunt.
Vikki Chase (Diagnostic Radiographer)
-----Original Message-----
From: Accident and Emergency Academic List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Dunn Matthew Dr. (RJC)
ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY - SwarkHosp-TR
Sent: 21 November 2001 10:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: C-spine injuries (imaging)
I'd agree with you. Here we remove the board and clothing prior to clearing
the spine. Furthermore, I go by the EAST guidelines on clearing spines
clinically (no tenderness, no pain on movement, no distracting injury, no
obtundation of conscious level). Still means you x-ray a lot, but a study to
reduce x-rays further would have to be huge. Clearly this was a technically
difficult case. You've mentioned the use of 5 radiographers, but what grade
of radiologist was involved? Surely if your SHO was not confident about
interpretation of trauma obliques they could have called their consultant.
Matt Dunn
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