Technologist

In recent years, the automatic machine for microbial identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests has been introduced into the microbiology laboratory of our hospital, but there are still many steps that need manual operation. The purpose of this study was to establish an auto-verification system for bacterial naming to improve the turnaround time (TAT) and reduce the burden on clinical laboratory technologists. After the basic interpretation of the gram staining results of microorganisms, the appearance of strain growth, etc...

AIM/INTRODUCTION: The National Nuclear Medicine Quality Control Center of China conducted the first official survey to investigate the nationwide situation of nuclear medicine in 2020. The survey aimed to unveil the current nuclear medicine situation and its quality control in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The web-based survey was conducted and the data was collected via the National Clinical Improvement System (NCIS) of China from 1st April to 31st May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 808 institutes across 30 provinces responded to the national survey...

BACKGROUND: Radioactive tracer injections for breast cancer sentinel lymph node mapping can be painful. In this randomized trial, we compared four approaches to topical pain control for radiotracer injections. METHODS: Breast cancer patients were randomized (9 April 2021-8 May 2022) to receive the institutional standard of ice prior to injection (n = 44), or one of three treatments: ice plus a vibrating distraction device (Buzzy® ; n = 39), 4% lidocaine patch (n = 44), or 4% lidocaine patch plus ice plus Buzzy® (n = 40)...

Medical Laboratory Technologists play a significant role in delivering quality laboratory Services. The competency assessment of MLTs is a critical driver for enhancing primary healthcare performance. While several countries have developed competency frameworks for MLTs in primary care, such frameworks are lacking in the Indian context. This study aimed to create a competency assessment framework to assess the competencies of MLTs (Medical Laboratory Technologists) working in Indian public primary healthcare facilities...

The virulence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its potentially fatal outcome necessitate rapid and accurate detection of patients colonized with MRSA in healthcare settings. Using the BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation (TLA) System in conjunction with the MRSA Application (MRSA App), an imaging application that uses artificial intelligence to interpret colorimetric information (mauve-colored colonies) indicative of MRSA pathogen presence on CHROMagar chromogenic media, anterior nares specimens from three sites were evaluated for the presence of mauve-colored colonies...

BACKGROUND: This study examines the comparative effectiveness of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.0, in the certification of medical technologists (MT) in Taiwan, exploring their adeptness in processing complex medical language and their contributory role in the educational and communicative aspects of professional healthcare training. METHODS: This study used GPT-3.5 and 4.0 to test the medical laboratory technician professional college entrance examination questions. The questions in different fields, including six subjects, such as Clinical Physiology and Pathology, Hematology, and Blood Bank, among others were answered one-on-one using two GPT versions, simulating the situations during exam preparation...

PURPOSE: Because of the automation of radiation therapy, competencies of radiation technologists (RTTs) change, and training methods are challenged. This study aims to develop, and pilot test an innovative training method based on lean management principles. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A new training method was developed for lung cancer treatment planning (TP). The novelty is summarized by including a stable environment and an increased focus on the how and why of key decision making...

This study assessed the significance of hands-on-training (HoT) and questionnaire-based surveys on 3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) and a combination of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy, the so-called 'hybrid' BT (HBT), in uterine cervical cancer. In October 2023, 29 radiation oncologists, nurses, radiologic technologists and medical physicists from 10 Japanese facilities participated in an HoT on 3D-IGBT and HBT. Questionnaires were distributed to each participant before and after the HoT, and feedback was obtained through online channels...

Nocardia species, which are ubiquitous in the environment, form lesions primarily in immunocompromised patients via oral or cutaneous infection. Some of these Nocardia species, such as N. farcinica , also infect the central nervous system via hematogenous dissemination, which rarely results in brain abscesses. Notably, N. farcinica is resistant to numerous antimicrobial drugs used in empirical therapy, necessitating the intervention of an infectious disease specialist. To date, no case of antimicrobial stewardship teams (ASTs) playing a central role in community hospitals without an infectious disease specialist has been reported...

PURPOSE: To assess the patient gonadal shielding practices of radiologic technologists in the state of California. METHODS: A survey invitation was sent via email to registered radiologic technologists in California to collect data to determine whether there were significant associations between gonadal shielding practices and various categorical variables, including patient sex, patient age, body part, availability of gonadal shielding protocols, availability of gonadal shields, and supervisor encouragement...

This paper examines opportunities and challenges of integrating augmented reality (AR) into education and investigates requirements to enable instructors to author AR educational experiences. Although AR technology is recognised for its potential in educational enhancement, it poses challenges for instructors creating AR-based experiences due to their limited digital skills and the complexity of 3D authoring tools. Semi-structured interviews with 17 aviation instructors identified current pedagogical approaches, gaps, and potential applications of AR in aviation weather education...

Neurosurgeons of the future must possess the ability to engage in preoperative simulation. However, given the changing medical practices and redistribution of tasks among physicians, the significance of radiological technologists is increasing. In this article, we describe the collaboration between radiological technologists and the hospital system to simplify preoperative simulation for young physicians. Preparation for preoperative simulation is a collaborative process with radiological technologists, aiming to facilitate mutual learning and risk management...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The slow adoption of new advanced imaging techniques into clinical practice has been a long-standing challenge. Principles of implementation science and the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance (RE-AIM) framework were used to build a clinical vessel wall imaging program at an academic medical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six phases for implementing a clinical vessel wall MR imaging program were contextualized to the RE-AIM framework...

OBJECTIVE: Digital pathology (DP) is moving into Danish pathology departments at high pace. Conventionally, biomedical laboratory scientists (BLS) and technicians have prepared tissue sections for light microscopy, but workflow alterations are required for the new digital era with whole slide imaging (WSI); digitally assisted image analysis (DAIA) and artificial intelligence (AI). We aim to explore the role of BLS in DP and assess a potential need for professional development. METHODS: We investigated the roles of BLS in the new digital era through qualitative interviews at Danish Pathology Departments in 2019/2020 before DP implementation (supported by a questionnaire); and in 2022 after DP implementation...

Phototherapy clinics administer UV light to patients via phototherapy cabinets. The UV radiation from these cabinets reflects on the white ceiling tiles of the clinic and is directed towards both staff and patients in the area. This is particularly problematic for clinical technologists who must undertake dosimetry in these areas and have a particular time (often as low as 30 minutes) before they reach their maximum exposure limit. By replacing the white tiles with black alternatives which absorb the stray radiation, we have been able to reduce these reflections by almost 90%, prolonging the time to maximum exposure by nearly 10 times...

During the past four decades, ultrasound has become popular as an imaging modality applied to the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, particularly outside the USA, due to its low cost, accessibility, and lack of ionizing radiation. A basic requirement in performing these examinations is to have a core group of radiologists and ultrasound technologists with expertise in MSK ultrasound. The extent to which ultrasound will be part of the imaging offered by a particular radiology practice or in an academic institution will vary according to expertise, availability, and reimbursements...

BACKGROUNDS: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) are often diagnosed late, impeding effective treatment; therefore, early detection is imperative. Modern methodologies can serve a pivotal role in fulfilling the crucial need for timely detection and intervention in this context. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate early detection's significance and summarize key technologies (biomarkers, neuroimaging, AI/ML, genetics, digital health) for enhanced diagnostic strategies in AD and PD...

PURPOSE: It is very difficult for a radiologist to correctly detect small lesions and lesions hidden on dense breast tissue on a mammogram. Therefore, recently, computer-aided detection (CAD) systems have been widely used to assist radiologists in interpreting images. Thus, in this study, we aimed to segment mass on the mammogram with high accuracy by using focus images obtained from a eye-tracking device. METHODS: We obtained focus images for two mammography expert radiologists and 19 mammography technologists on 8 abnormal and 8a normal mammograms published by the DDSM...

PURPOSE: To analyze a radiography program's use of the Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment (HESI A2) and the HESI Exit Exam for preparing graduates to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification and registration exam for radiography. METHODS: The program collected exam scores from the HESI Exit Exam for radiography and the ARRT radiography certification and registration exam for a 10-year period. The study included scores of 171 students who graduated from the radiography education program...

PURPOSE: To identify technologist-controlled factors to decrease dose and improve image quality and evaluate their use during computed tomography (CT) kidney stone examinations. METHODS: Online scholarly databases were searched to acquire peer-reviewed, published articles involving methods of optimizing radiation dose during CT. These articles were reviewed, and the technologist-controlled factors identified were protocol selection, patient centering in the bore, and scan length...