Within a CT department, there are numerous topics where patient safety needs to be considered such as infection control, intravenous access, iodinated contrast administration, patient handling and radiation protection. Protocols, policies, procedures and guidelines (PPPG) are usually developed to address these topics and ensure a consistent approach is taken by all staff to ensure the safety of patients. Audits assessing compliance with these PPPGs can lead to changes or revisions via quality improvement plans. In 2017 the CT department of an Irish paediatric hospital introduced...

The 3-point ID check and examination confirmation is performed prior to scanning by the radiographer. It is hospital policy to correctly identify a patient prior to any exam or procedure using at least 3 points of information. Generally, it is confirmed by asking the parent or guardian to state the patient’s name, address and date of birth. This ensures the correct patient is present and has been referred for an appropriate CT exam, and the proper age / weight matched protocol is being applied. After...

The Patient Safety Checklist plays an invaluable role in this department. It ensures correct identification of patients. The checklist has allowed radiographers to become more knowledgeable regarding LDRLs and encourages radiographers to become reflective in their practice in terms ofprotocolusageand dose reduction strategies. This has opened communication between radiographers, the CT clinical specialist radiographer and the medical physics team.

N. Kirk; Dublin/IE - nothing to disclose E. L. Twomey; Dublin/IE - nothing to disclose L. Bowden; Dublin/IE - nothing to disclose C. Saidlear; Dublin/IE - nothing to disclose

[1] Patient Radiation Protection Manual 2017, National Radiation Safety Committee Ireland.