Global Health & Medicine 2022;4(4):237-241.

The role of radiologic technologists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Matsunaga F, Kono Y, Kitamura H, Terashima M

During the pandemic, stress of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on a radiology department has caused major change in the workflow and protocol, which can inflame unnecessary anxiety among the staff. We have adapted and responded quickly however, to the volatile clinical situations owing to a close consultant in infection control. Our repeatedly revised procedures since the 2014 Ebola outbreak possess the expertise and were very useful. In-house training sessions have been held and updated accordingly. In-house networking service has now become more common in our department instead of the emergency contact network relaying the message to the person on the phone tree. Up until January 2022, we examined 10,861 chest X-rays with no in-hospital infection. We sincerely hope our chest X-ray strategies comply with infection prevention and control standards and minimize use of personal protective equipment will be embraced as a positive initiative by frontline radiologic technologists and relieve their anxiety.

DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2022.01011

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