How does digital imaging improve radiologic technology services?

Digital imaging compared to the old screen imaging is way more convenient in today’s
time. With the help of great innovations in medical technology, the traditional way of imaging
has improved a lot, catering more patients than expected. One of its biggest advantages is the
enhanced quality of care because digital imaging reduces radiation exposure by 75 percent or
even more. With that, patients will be less worried about the disadvantages of exposure to
radiation and thus, providing an enhanced level of healthcare. In addition to the quality of
healthcare, digital imaging also presents an advantage to the image enhancement and image
quality. Small details are really crucial in X-ray reading and digital imaging results are way more
detailed bringing out tiny fractures and imperfections that might have been missed by the manual
imaging. Time and productivity are also improved with the help of the new way of imaging. It
reduces the long processing time of conventional radiography to seconds, because there is no
need to wait for it to develop under chemicals. Alongside with this, it also poses a benefit to the
radiographers because dealing with harmful developing chemicals and fixing solutions is not
really preferable.

In this time of COVID-19 pandemic, how does digital imaging contribute to quash the spread of
this kind of virus? Describe artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging. Could you consider it
as antagonist or protagonist in our field of work? Expound your answer.

In this time of a global pandemic, a lot of hospital protocols have adjusted to the new
normal. Healthcare facilities imposed numerous regulations as a contribution to the fight against
corona virus. Digital imaging in the field of radiology also serves as an instrument in quashing
the spread of the virus since results can already be received and view through computers.
Physical contact can be reduced less to none and therefore, there is also less transmission of the
virus.
Artificial intelligence in medical imaging provides radiographer and radiologists with a
much precise information helping them improve their decision making and productivity for a
quicker diagnosis. This helps radiologist to increase, measure and stratify the data available to
them and has the assurance to provide substantial opportunities to develop and increase the
reading of radiology and the accuracy of the reports. Artificial intelligence also helps give
radiologist more time to think about the in-depth diagnosis of the patients, to diagnose more
difficult conditions, to conduct more invasive procedures and increases access to medical record
information. In our field of work, artificial intelligence is really of great help rather than an
antagonist. Although there are inevitable disadvantages posed by the artificial intelligence, the
limitations of AI should reassure radiographers who worry about machines taking over their jobs.
Regardless of this concern, AI shows assurance to allow health care organization to provide their
patients with quicker and more efficient care.
Explain and differentiate the three principles of TOTAL QUALITY.

Total Quality in the field of medicine may probably be the first quality oriented
philosophy to transition into healthcare. There are three concepts in total quality namely:
customer, continuous improvement and teamwork. The target of the customer principle includes
finding ways to function better, what the company should do differently to enhance the way
consumers are served, enhance what customers are provided, enhance the way they operate, and
improve patients, customers, and staff 's overall service. Continuous improvement in quality is a
term based on the "kaizen" Japanese philosophy, the idea of which is based on a method or
mechanism constantly pursuing improvement. The fundamental belief in quality improvement is
that it is possible to strengthen every part of a process or system. The goal is not to wait for a
major problem to emerge before acting. Teamwork means participation of employees in quality.
As such, there is a shared objective and intent for the people involved. Instead of delegating to
subordinates, the team members work together, their success is measured not only by individual
contributions but also by group contributions, and the members have an overarching goal that
transcends individual goals. In a hospital, patient care teams offer all forms of treatment, from
prevention to emergency care and end-of-life.

What are the reasons why we measure CLINICAL COMPETENCE?

A good healthcare professional requires knowledge, abilities, other expected

characteristics and most importantly, competence. Competence is obtained through pre-service
preparation, in-service training, and job experience in the healthcare professions. Competence, as
represented by compliance with different health, non-clinical, and interpersonal criteria, is a
major determinant of provider success. To assess the capacity and readiness of health
professionals and to deliver professional care, assessing competence is important. Clinical
competence is a precursor in doing the job right and a good calibration to measure clinical
performance. In assessing competence, there are several explanations why this should not be
missed in ensuring a good service to the patients. Health ministries, professional associations,
and healthcare organizations need to ensure that adequate competence standards are set and that
their workers perform to the mark. To offer the best service in the field, healthcare organizations
must meet certain requirement. The primary important factor in all medical imaging fields is the
assessment of the clinical competencies of radiologists and technologists, and it is a required
prerequisite for ensuring standard professional treatment in radiography.
Define Quality and Safety. Cite some relevant examples.

Organized and all-inclusive quality and safety measures are required to be developed on
all radiology departments. There are basic concepts that should be at the heart of each program,
no matter the department size. Quality healthcare is the overarching umbrella under which
patient’s safety resides. It is an ideal combination between the realized possibilities and a norm
and values system. It is the degree to which the probability of desired health outcomes is
improved by health care for individuals and communities and is compatible with existing clinical
knowledge. The need to perform radiology on a highly outstanding manner is widely essential to
determine which medical service is worth commending. Radiologists have a responsibility to
provide effective, reliable, and patient-centered radiological treatment, therefore quality service
is must. Even working as a team and including other staff members, and regardless of what
procedure or method is used, it should promote a collaborative atmosphere that is necessary for
maintaining an effective quality control plan.
The concept of patient safety has emerged from the similarly abstract health care quality
movement, with different approaches to the more specific basic components. The foundation of
high-quality health care is patient safety. Most of the work that determines patient safety and
harm prevention practices has centered on unfavorable treatment outcomes, such as mortality
and morbidity. In order to minimize such adverse effects, radiographers are vital for monitoring
and coordination. In assessing the effect of radiologic care on positive quality metrics, such as
sufficient self-care and other measures for enhanced health status, much work remains to be
done.