No Subject

[Jodi.Strzelczyk@UCHSC.edu]

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Linda,



Several individuals provided you with excellent sources of information on the topic. The specific form in which such information is presented to patients depends on the radiation safety program you have in your institution. 

However, it seems inappropriate and not within the scope of health physics profession to have an RSO obtain consent from a pregnant patient who is deemed by her physician to be in need of having an X-ray exam. If the exam is medically indicated, the physician takes full responsibility for the procedure and explanation of its risks to a patient. While well-intended, I am sure, RSO's involvement in the process of consenting patients who receive diagnostic radiological procedures could diminish the benefit of the procedure in patient's eyes, lead to unnecessary anxiety, and perception of high risk. I think that this is the last thing that expecting mom needs.



Jodi



Jodi Strzelczyk, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Radiological Sciences

Unoversity of Colorado HSC  





Date sent:      	Thu, 07 Aug 2003 09:35:55 -0500

From:           	"Linda Miller" <lamiller@etmc.org>

To:             	<radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

Subject:        	X-ray of pregnant patients

Send reply to:  	"Linda Miller" <lamiller@etmc.org>



Are there any pamplets available with information on radiation exposure to a fetus or would anyone be willing to share with me the information that you give to a pregnant patient when the physician ordering the x-ray exam says "Yes, I know that she is pregnant but need this exam <lumbar spine?> anyway"?  We are in the age of informed consent and I would like to be able to hand the patient some information and have the patient sign that she read it and consents to the exam.



Thank you



Linda Miller, MS

RSO - East Texas Medical Center

Tyler, Texas

fax 903/535-6330

lamiller@etmc.org

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