ISRRT_COVID-19_book

to lie down and get through the scan. The CT room did not have a negative air exchange which
meant that the room had to remain closed for 2 hours after cleaning prior to the next scan
being done. CT exams did require a lot more planning due to the extra precautions taken to
prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The number of CT scans we could perform were
limited.
Meetings
We learned to use Zoom and Go to Meeting software rapidly to particiapte in Virtual
meetings. The department computer technology for our Personal Conputers were not
equipped with microphone or camera access. Many meetings required the staff to be on the
land line phone to talk while logged onto the web. Since the use of the internet was in high
demand, it was not unusual to lose connection or hear a lot of background noise when
participants didn’t mute their microphones.
I felt not as many questions were asked as the individual had to type in the on line chat box
or raise a virtual hand to be acknowledged during the on line meetings. Disruptions during
the meetings included the hosts not knowing the computer software, some participants
needing to be on the internet joining late and leaving early, some participants working from
home and others in their offices. It was entertaining to see the family pets and the makeshift
home offices.
Equipment purchases
We had just started to undertake the selection of a new ultrasound system that included
hands on evaluations, when the pandemic impacted our facility. Our selection process
required that the vendor set up the equipment in a class room instead of in the department.
Staff could demo the equipment with the applications person while wearing PPE masks and
maintaining social distancing. Delivery of the ultrasound system was delayed due to heavy
demand on the trucking / freight companies. When the equipment arrived, the orientation
training of the staff was limited to an overview of the equipment functions since the vendor
application staff could not be in the patient care areas of the hospital.
Although it is difficult to imagine the impact a Pandemic would have on the Healthcare system
and the world, during the first twenty months, we have remained united as essential frontline
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