Surgery is intimidating to many new x-ray techs. I hope that you can implement some of these tricks to feel more comfortable in the operating room! Please ask me questions if you have any!
Michael `s theatre II Tips 1. Take all the keys to every machine just in case yours stops working 2. Let the surgeon decide where the II comes from , where the Monitor should go, don’t assume 3. If the body part is over the steel table base, or the metal table edge, or gaps in the foam table are in the way then -solution- Move the patient. 4. Beware sandbags , can be put under hips/ chest by inexperienced theatre staff 5. Set a manual kv for extremities -so that even if you come in and are centred in the wrong place , the image will be correctly exposed. Otherwise if your going in and out, over the body part, even slight miss centering, will result in a black/ underexposed image, because it will give a fresh air exposure eg 44kv ( which would not get through a finger). Generally hand 52kv, ankle 57kv, knee/ shoulder 62k , then tweek it. I once I had a student who never centred bang in the middle once, for an ankle op . The surgeon didn`t notice. The foam table makes 2 kv difference. Some machines require the first exposure to be on the AED. 6. The ii has an obese button, which is the maximum mA output, find out where this is. If this doesn’t work and the image is black - still under exposed , the only thing you can do is try and use the Monitor brightness/contrast - this may well not work ! there`s nothing you can do !! with this machine. 7. Save all the images- make this a habit- you don’t know which operation turns out wrong, even though it seems ok at the time 8. If your doing AP and Lateral, every time you go to the other position , swap the image over on the monitors. So you always keep an AP on one side, and a Lateral on the other. This takes concentration. 9. The worst problem is obesity with osteoporosis. Obesity means the II will use a high KV eg 110kv ,so LOW contrast. The bones will be very hard to see, because they don’t have any bone in them ! If the surgeon is moaning explain this LOL I had the same problem with AP hip on a young man- biggest muscular thigh in England. 10. Expect the first image to be wrong, wrong place , wrong orientation. Move the wheels in the direction you want to go, either towards head/ foot or in/out , make it easy for yourself , move in each direction in turn, and you will get where you want to be. Small movement`s to keep control. 11. Don’t let the surgeons use the flat II surface to apply a wet Plaster of Paris, unless you cover it first with a plastic bag, or water will get into it and it will go bang ! 12. For hips / DHS cover the tube ( under the table/ hip) with a plastic bag ,so blood doesn’t get into it. 13. You can get a lateral of the humerus, femur with the patient flat ( both legs down) on the table if you come in sideways, from the opposite side, and angle 70 degrees. and the body part ( shoulder/ hip/ femur) is right over the edge of the table ( so the metal table sides are not in the way) 14. If you leave the theatre for a break ( very long case) always tell someone whose sterile ( surgeon/ scrub nurse) where you will be, just in case they suddenly need you back. 15. Only ask the surgeon a question when hes not doing something dangerous e.g. with a drill. 16. At the end of the operation get a clear answer you are finished BEFORE you remove the sterile xray cover.
Thanks for your videos and for having this conversation, however as a tech of many years it is NOT ok to normalize negative attitudes from anyone in the OR. Report them as much as possible until they treat you with respect 👌🏻
Thank you for your support. I understand not normalizing negative attitudes in the OR but I don’t necessarily agree with reporting people in order to gain respect. If bodily injury is threatened then yes, that needs to be reported. However, you’ll gain more respect by standing up for yourself in the present moment in a respectful manner.
Just started my clinicals in OR and I’m grateful for it, my next rotation will be all ER, but if I had a choice I’d prefer OR all day, the techs are teaching me to bring a dry erase marker to mark the floor for accuracy c arm positioning, especially for cysto cases
I haven’t thought of using an expo marker before! That’s a great option. Some hospitals have dedicated X-ray techs that are primarily in surgery all day and only help out in the department between cases. That may be an option for you if there is a hospital with that type of staffing in your area upon graduation!
I want to become an x ray tech as well and hope to eventually learn MRI’s. All of your vids have been helpful and now i’m certain this is what I want to do
I’m looking at what career to choose and from the looks of it everyone in the OR has bad experiences with the surgeon 😂 so I’ll get yelled at regardless, got it
I do have some but they are surgeon specific. Take blank cards with you and pay close attention so that you can customize your own! Surgery has some trial and error to it but when in doubt you can always ask the surgical staff (especially the medical device reps).
There are usually breaks for X-ray techs between cases when they are cleaning up one case and setting up another. If there is a case that you’re in that runs all through lunch then another X-ray tech can float up to cover you for lunch. Most of the time you just eat and use the restroom between cases.
Yes we accrue paid time off (PTO). You’re able to use your PTO to take vacation or use it towards sick days throughout the year in order to still get paid while you are taking time off of work. As long as you have your time off request placed in advance (usually a month notice) then there should be no reason that you can’t get time off for a vacation.
My program didn’t require a thesis. I have heard more research being conducted on risks vs benefits of shielding and the theory that shielding doesn’t allow scattered photons to exit the body resulting in greater radiation exposure. Maybe you can look into that for your paper? Good luck!
Michael `s theatre II Tips
1. Take all the keys to every machine just in case yours stops working
2. Let the surgeon decide where the II comes from , where the Monitor should go, don’t assume
3. If the body part is over the steel table base, or the metal table edge, or gaps in the foam table are in the way then -solution- Move the patient.
4. Beware sandbags , can be put under hips/ chest by inexperienced theatre staff
5. Set a manual kv for extremities -so that even if you come in and are centred in the wrong place , the image will be correctly exposed. Otherwise if your going in and out, over the body part, even slight miss centering, will result in a black/ underexposed image, because it will give a fresh air exposure eg 44kv ( which would not get through a finger). Generally hand 52kv, ankle 57kv, knee/ shoulder 62k , then tweek it. I once I had a student who never centred bang in the middle once, for an ankle op . The surgeon didn`t notice. The foam table makes 2 kv difference. Some machines require the first exposure to be on the AED.
6. The ii has an obese button, which is the maximum mA output, find out where this is. If this doesn’t work and the image is black - still under exposed , the only thing you can do is try and use the Monitor brightness/contrast - this may well not work ! there`s nothing you can do !! with this machine.
7. Save all the images- make this a habit- you don’t know which operation turns out wrong, even though it seems ok at the time
8. If your doing AP and Lateral, every time you go to the other position , swap the image over on the monitors. So you always keep an AP on one side, and a Lateral on the other. This takes concentration.
9. The worst problem is obesity with osteoporosis. Obesity means the II will use a high KV eg 110kv ,so LOW contrast. The bones will be very hard to see, because they don’t have any bone in them ! If the surgeon is moaning explain this LOL I had the same problem with AP hip on a young man- biggest muscular thigh in England.
10. Expect the first image to be wrong, wrong place , wrong orientation. Move the wheels in the direction you want to go, either towards head/ foot or in/out , make it easy for yourself , move in each direction in turn, and you will get where you want to be. Small movement`s to keep control.
11. Don’t let the surgeons use the flat II surface to apply a wet Plaster of Paris, unless you cover it first with a plastic bag, or water will get into it and it will go bang !
12. For hips / DHS cover the tube ( under the table/ hip) with a plastic bag ,so blood doesn’t get into it.
13. You can get a lateral of the humerus, femur with the patient flat ( both legs down) on the table if you come in sideways, from the opposite side, and angle 70 degrees. and the body part ( shoulder/ hip/ femur) is right over the edge of the table ( so the metal table sides are not in the way)
14. If you leave the theatre for a break ( very long case) always tell someone whose sterile ( surgeon/ scrub nurse) where you will be, just in case they suddenly need you back.
15. Only ask the surgeon a question when hes not doing something dangerous e.g. with a drill.
16. At the end of the operation get a clear answer you are finished BEFORE you remove the sterile xray cover.
Thanks for your videos and for having this conversation, however as a tech of many years it is NOT ok to normalize negative attitudes from anyone in the OR. Report them as much as possible until they treat you with respect 👌🏻
Thank you for your support. I understand not normalizing negative attitudes in the OR but I don’t necessarily agree with reporting people in order to gain respect. If bodily injury is threatened then yes, that needs to be reported. However, you’ll gain more respect by standing up for yourself in the present moment in a respectful manner.
Instead of using tape I like using thin expo markers on the c-arm and the floor. The marks are easily wiped off.
medical physicist here, interesting to learn about the tech perspective. thanks for these videos!!!
Just started my clinicals in OR and I’m grateful for it, my next rotation will be all ER, but if I had a choice I’d prefer OR all day, the techs are teaching me to bring a dry erase marker to mark the floor for accuracy c arm positioning, especially for cysto cases
I haven’t thought of using an expo marker before! That’s a great option. Some hospitals have dedicated X-ray techs that are primarily in surgery all day and only help out in the department between cases. That may be an option for you if there is a hospital with that type of staffing in your area upon graduation!
Thanks, Sydney. It's a good video and a good explanation
Hi I’m binge watching all your videos and they have been so helpful and full of really great info. I can’t wait for your next one!(:
I want to become an x ray tech as well and hope to eventually learn MRI’s. All of your vids have been helpful and now i’m certain this is what I want to do
I’m glad I could help you with your decision. Good luck to you in your career!
OR is very nerve wrecking for me but I’d rather be in there my whole shift 😅
Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the department chaos!
Thank you for your tips!
Of course, I hope that they helped you!
I’m looking at what career to choose and from the looks of it everyone in the OR has bad experiences with the surgeon 😂 so I’ll get yelled at regardless, got it
We are an easy target for their frustration. But as long as you don’t take it personally and don’t let it impact your performance you’ll be just fine!
I'm also a x-ray photographer, but we probably don't wear shield bullets.
Thank you so much 🥺🥺, you're children are so cute🥰
Omg I would kill for those flashcards. I'm starting in 1 week in the OR and those would come handy. Do you still have them by any chance??🤓
I do have some but they are surgeon specific. Take blank cards with you and pay close attention so that you can customize your own! Surgery has some trial and error to it but when in doubt you can always ask the surgical staff (especially the medical device reps).
What are the other 2?
More of a random question but how do you manage to eat or go to the restroom in the OR as a tech?
There are usually breaks for X-ray techs between cases when they are cleaning up one case and setting up another. If there is a case that you’re in that runs all through lunch then another X-ray tech can float up to cover you for lunch. Most of the time you just eat and use the restroom between cases.
@@SydneyPipp do you guys get vacation or able to? I know that depends on the hospital/place but any feedback would be appreciated:)
Yes we accrue paid time off (PTO). You’re able to use your PTO to take vacation or use it towards sick days throughout the year in order to still get paid while you are taking time off of work. As long as you have your time off request placed in advance (usually a month notice) then there should be no reason that you can’t get time off for a vacation.
Hi, I'm a radtech student, what is the best thesis topic for rt? Thank you very much! :))
My program didn’t require a thesis. I have heard more research being conducted on risks vs benefits of shielding and the theory that shielding doesn’t allow scattered photons to exit the body resulting in greater radiation exposure. Maybe you can look into that for your paper? Good luck!
@@SydneyPipp Thank you so much. This is a big help ❤💚
Hello !
I'm ahmed , Egyptian radiology technologist
Can i contact you to ask you some questions ,please ?