Re: A question of ethics

[Alex Zapantis <a.zapantis@qut.edu.au>]

At 05:01 PM 21/6/96 -0500, you wrote:
Last week I went the hospital for a CAT
>scan.  .....  On my way
>out of the examining room, I asked the
>technician to tell me how much radiation
>dose I had received from the procedure.
>
>He said that he didn't know, and that I
>should talk to the doctor in charge.  The
>doctor advised me that he couldn't give me
>an exact figure, but the dose was less than
>the amount I would have received from a
>more traditional x-ray procedure. 

I have had the opposite experience. A few months ago my (then) 18 month old
son had an isotope cystogram (all was OK!!). Prior to the examination, the
medico sat me down and went to great lengths to explain the procedure
including the risks and drawing comparisons to gaining the same diagnostic
information using fluoroscopy and contrast media. He even gave me an
estimate of the dose Cameron would receive in Sv!! At that stage I informed
him that I was an HP, he laughed then said "Did I get it all right????" He did!!

Regards 
 
  Alex Zapantis                                         
  Radiation Safety Officer                                     
  Queensland University of Technology 
  Acting Manager       
  Health & Safety Section                             
  Victoria Park Road                 Ph     : 61 7 3864 3566
  Kelvin Grove Qld 4059             fax     : 61 7 3864 3993
  AUSTRALIA                           Email  : a.zapantis@qut.edu.au    

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    "From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen."

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