X-ray of pregnant patients

[hflong@postoffice.pacbell.net]

Linda,

Having once done pelvimetries on patients in my rural GP office, I

second Jodi's comment:

 "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."



However, as I welcome pharmacists checking with me on dose, unususal

use, etc, (because we all can overlook something), I believe you will

find physicians always grateful for discrete double check, such as,

"Doctor, are there any of the routine views not likely to help with this

patient, so I can minimize the radiation dose?" We also are sensitized

to minimizing medicines and radiation in pregnancy.



Howard Long, family doctor





Jodi.Strzelczyk@UCHSC.edu wrote:

> 

> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 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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