ISRRT_COVID-19_book

The domestic role of cleaning the rooms was positively taken up by both radiographers and
assistants as it would mean one room would be out of action until surfaces had dried, this
would essentially have had a negative impact during the busier periods when the waiting
rooms would fill (more rapidly with social distancing). Nonetheless, through effective
leadership, when required, the rooms usually allocated for inpatient/outpatient imaging
would take on the A&E workload for non-COVID-19 patients and at particularly busier periods
some patients would be relocated to have their imaging in the orthopaedic department,
which was in close proximity to the Radiology and A&E department. This is one prime example
where the radiography workforce would demonstrate exceptional team working skills all for
their patients.
On the one hand, the re-organisation of the department aided in workload management and
patient experience. However, on the other hand, some patients would be anxious due to the
uncertain nature of COVID-19 and would not perceive this in the same way. Therefore,
strategies had to be implemented so that they would feel at ease. One way this was tackled
at this NHS hospital Trust in the North West of England was by implementing a cleaning record
in the patient waiting area, where patients could see the radiographers tick off where rigorous
cleaning had been completed, patients were also re-assured that the equipment had been
cleaned in between patients either through verbal communication or by physically cleaning
in front of them. This was essential for the radiographer as it brought a patient-centred
approach to their practice, which in turn helped the patients feel safe, at-ease, and experience
excellent care by reducing their perceived threatening stimulus due to their interpretation
bias.
Upon completion of patient imaging, the images were interpreted by the radiographer for
any pathological findings that would need to be communicated to the referring clinician
through a ‘red dot’ scheme. This applied to musculoskeletal conditions primarily as these are
the skills the newly qualified radiographer would have developed as a student through
university training and education. As the pandemic emerged, COVID-19 appearances were
evident on chest x-ray images. This type of pattern recognition and image interpretation was
most definitely not taught to newly qualified radiographers. The process of independently
recognising these appearances confidently and communicating the findings with the referrer
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