TECH131-0606: The Sparkle Technique and Other Bright Ideas in Radiographic Imaging - Continual Education

TECH131-0606: The Sparkle Technique and Other Bright Ideas in Radiographic Imaging

INSTRUCTORS:
Kim Zody, BS, RVT & Camille L. Ummel, BS, RVT

DATES:
June 22-July 29, 2006
Real Time Sessions: Wednesday evenings, June 28, July 5, 12, and 19; 7:30pm-9:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Thoracic and abdominal imaging of non-diseased, healthy patients is the "bread and butter" of clinical radiography and a well designed technique chart is the veterinary technician's "cookbook". By following the standard "recipes" for exposure factors, the technician can predictably produce consistent quality thoracic and abdominal images of normal patients. However, when technicians are faced with imaging non-traditional or diseased patients, the cookbook doesn't always offer the right recipes. This course is designed to aid the veterinary technician in producing more diagnostic radiographs of patients with unique body types or specific pathologies in order to help the veterinarian in making a better a diagnosis.

This course includes four (4) online sessions of 2 hours (120 minutes), case discussions, radiographic tips, interactive message boards, homework involving interactive cases and a final exam. The overall goal is to test the participant's knowledge of material that is covered. This course is geared toward credentialed veterinary technicians, however any ancillary staff currently producing radiographs in practice are encouraged to participate.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

Adjust exposure techniques according to the patient being imaged.

Have an understanding of how body condition/type has an effect on the final radiograph.

Have an understanding of how disease manifestation affects the finished image. The overall goal of this course is to help the technician predictably produce consistent quality thoracic and abdominal images.

Course Outline:

Week 1: General exposure technique adjustment and technique chart utilization

Review what mAs and kVp are and what each controls.
What is a technique chart to us and the basic steps of technique chart development.
How are exposure factors chosen?
Choosing the perfect mA, time and kVp for the typical patient.

Week 2: The effect of body condition score on the diagnostic quality of the radiograph

Review of body condition scoring system.
Discussion of patients with a BCS of 1 and how to adjust techniques.
Discussion of patients with a BCS of 5 and how to adjust techniques.

Week 3: The effect of breed type or anatomical composition on the finished image

How to adjust technique based on breed characteristics (i.e. bulldogs, dachshunds, great danes, greyhounds and mastiffs).

Week 4: The effect of physical exam findings on exposure technique choice

How to adjust technique based on what is happening inside the patients body (i.e. ascites from liver disease or pneumothorax from trauma).

Textbook: There is no textbook required for this course, however the instructors recommend the following texts:

Practical Diagnostic Imaging for the Veterinary Technician, Third Edition by Connie M. Han and Cheryl D. Hurd, Elsevier Inc.(Elsevier Mosby), Copyright 2005 ISBN 0-323-02575-7. This text can be purchased from the VIN Store at: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=99180

Radiography in Veterinary Technology, Third Edition by Lisa M. Lavin, Elsevier (Saunders), Copyright 2003. ISBN 0-7216-9275-3. This text can be purchased from the VIN Store at: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=91430

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion. Due to the amount of material to be covered, it is highly recommended the student comes to class having reviewed the handouts for that week, reviewed the previous week's homework and study guide, utilized the message boards for the course, and is prepared to interact during the real time session.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 8 CEUs

TUITION:
Registration: $140 ($ 126 early bird special if registered before June 8, 2006).
Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status)
*VT students: You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program directors name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/MinReqs.htm

** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

TO REGISTER:

Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
Each person must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

Note: "This course has been submitted for approval for 8 hours of continuing education credits for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VIN/VSPN for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board.) This course has also been submitted for approval for continual education units toward CVPM requirements by the VHMA.

COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdrawal retroactively. Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO.

Nanette R. Walker Smith, RVT, CVT
VSPN Content Director
Nanette@vspn.org or VSPNCE@vspn.org

800.700.4636 | CEonVIN@vin.com | 530.756.4881 | Fax: 530.756.6035
777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616
Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.


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