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National media covers SoR warning about unregistered sonographers
Last month, UK media picked up the Society of Radiographers’ statement warning against unregistered sonographers and high street baby scan clinics.
The SoR’s statement outlined the dangers posed by unregistered sonographers carrying out ultrasound scans, saying that healthy babies had been seriously misdiagnosed. In some cases, it said, parents had been incorrectly told their baby was dead or had severe malformations.
A number of mainstream publications covered the warning, including the BBC, the Guardian, the Metro and The Telegraph. SoR president Katie Thompson appeared on LBC News to discuss the statement, while Charlotte Beardmore, the SoR’s executive director of professional policy, spoke about the issue on ITV’s main news broadcast.
Alongside its statement, the SoR called for ‘sonographer’ to be classed as a protected title. Those who hold protected titles – such as Diagnostic Radiographer, art therapist and occupational therapist – must be qualified and registered to carry out their work.
Updated privacy policy outlines guidance on society’s use of AI
The SoR has updated its privacy policy in relation to technology and AI in an effort to improve efficiency and ensure due diligence.
As part of the updated policy, staff will only be allowed to use secure tools such as Microsoft Copilot to improve member services and strengthen efficiency. These tools will be used to help staff with administrative and analytical tasks such as drafting, summarising and retrieving information already held in SoR and CoR systems.
Any personal information that is entered into an AI system must be relevant to the task, handled correctly and checked by a human before it is used in communications.
“These updates reflect our commitment to embracing technology that enhances learning, professional development and the overall member experience,” said Richard Evans, CEO of the SoR. “Through tools such as Microsoft Copilot and our new learning platform, RAD Academy, we’re supporting radiography professionals to learn, collaborate and deliver care more effectively at every stage of their careers.”
Mains electricity wiring issues with medical radiological equipment – a formal review
Ian Chell MSc FSRP outlined recommendations to improve safety in a November SoR news article following a death-related incident involving loss of X-ray equipment power in 2020.
The incident involved the loss of mains electrical power to the X-ray equipment – including the battery backup (UPS) – during a diagnostic coronary angiogram. The disconnection caused the loss of X-ray capability, which prevented the beginning of a stenting procedure until mains power was reinstated.
“The incident occurred as the radiographer was moving the C-arm and patient table into the CPR position, at which point the X-ray equipment mains power was disconnected,” the article explained.
Ian – an independent expert in medical locations – was recommended by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to the police, who were looking into the incident.
In reviewing the incident, Ian said: “In my professional judgement and recent experience, the absence of regulatory oversight for hospital wiring and the lack of standardised commissioning processes represent significant risks.”
Therapeutic Radiographers asked to contribute to image-guided radiotherapy research
Therapeutic Radiographers are being asked to contribute to a research project headed by the European Federation of Radiographer Societies’ Radiotherapy Committee (EFRS).
The research project is titled: ‘Radiotherapy radiographers’/radiation therapists (RTTs) role and training needs in Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT).’ The aim of the project is to investigate image-guided radiotherapy. It forms part of a commitment by the EFRS to furthering evidence-based radiography practice.
A number of facets will be explored through the research, including confidence levels, training needs and decision-making practices among Therapeutic Radiographers working in IGRT.
SoR members working in radiotherapy are being called on to help the EFRS identify professional challenges and advocate for the education, resources and recognition needed to carry out quality care by filling out an online survey. In relation to the survey, IGRT refers to its use in treatment verification, which is the process of confirming patient positioning and anatomy immediately before or during treatment to ensure safe and accurate delivery.
Image credit: Getty Images
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