WHO IS TAKING YOUR X-RAYS?

Did you know that in the State of Georgia ANYONE can operate a X-ray Machine with no training? Did you also know ANYONE can operate a CT or MRI Machine and that ANYONE can inject you with radioactive material? Georgia is one of 6 states that does not require licensure for the dispensing of radioactive materials and operation of radiation machines? So again, WHO IS TAKING YOUR X-RAYS?

The Radiologic Technologist is registered by the ARRT just as nurses are licensed by the NLN and the state. We go to school the same amount of time as a nurse and must pass exams to practice Diagnostic Medicine.

“Licensure is a state governments way of ensuring that personnel meet minimum professionsl standards before engaging in Radiologic Technology or Radiation Therapy and licensure provides state governments with a way to prohibit unqualified individuals from performing imaging examinations or radiation thereapy treatments on patients,” says Christine Lune Cae who is working to get the CARE bill passed in Congress.

The CARE Bill (Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging) when passes will enforce the last six states to have to conform to standards of care that consistute levels of excellancy.

With all of the media exposure about excessive radiation on CT Examinations, is the person behind the controls a secretary or a Registered Technologist? And no, I am not being dramatic, there are offices where the secretary was trained which button to push, not knowing any idea of the amount of Radiation being delivered. October being breast cancere awareness month, is the person taking your mammogram a Registered Mammography Technologist?

Please speak with your Congress Representatives and your Senators to get the CARE bill passed. You are the only ones who can control who takes your X-rays.

CARE Bill HR 1146 AND HR 1148 IN THE HOUSE AND S642 IN THE SENATE