Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

134Chapter 6 – Scope of Practice of Medical Radiation TechnologyThe Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991, also defines the controlled actsauthorized to MRTs as follows:• Taking blood samples from veins,• Administering substances by injection or inhalation,• Tattooing, 16 and• Administering contrast media through or into the rectum or anartificial opening into the body.Ontario Regulation 226/03 under the Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991prescribes electromagnetism as a form of energy for the purposes of thescope of practice statement. In 2003, when magnetic resonancetechnologists were added as a specialty within the College, the controlledacts authorized to MRTs in the Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991 werenot amended to include the application of energy in the form ofelectromagnetism. Rather, through an amendment to a regulation under theRHPA, 17 MRTs were exempted from the restriction on the controlled act ofapplying a prescribed form of energy, for the purpose of applyingelectromagnetism for magnetic resonance imaging. As a result, the currentlegislation lacks transparency on the authority of MRTs to applyelectromagnetism for magnetic resonance imaging.Additional Requirements for Controlled ActsUnder the Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991, MRTs are only permittedto perform a procedure falling within an authorized act if there is an orderfor performance of the procedure from a physician. Specifically:5(1) A member shall not perform a procedure under the authority ofsection 4 unless the procedure is ordered by a member of theCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. 18Delegation and Medical DirectivesMRTs currently perform controlled acts not specifically authorized to theprofession, through medical directives or delegation.Medical directives are instructions relating to the care and medicaltreatment of a specific patient population given by physicians or otherhealth professionals authorized to order the performance of controlledacts. 19 They define the agreement of physicians and other authorized healthprofessionals on best practices for medical interventions and how otherhealth professionals should be involved in carrying out treatmentprotocols. They contain the delegation and authority for identified health16Tattooing refers to radiation therapy marking on patients undergoing treatment to be able toprecisely direct the radiation.17Ontario Regulation 107/96 s.3.1 under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.18Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 29, s.5(1).19Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario. An Interprofessional Guide on the Use ofOrders, Directives and Delegation for Regulated Health Professionals in Ontario.http://mdguide.regulatedhealthprofessions.on.ca/why/default.asp.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009