TECH179-0910: Digital Radiography

INSTRUCTOR:
Tara Wochesen, BS, RVT

DATES:
September 28-October 21, 2010
Real Time Sessions: Real Time Sessions: Monday evenings, October 4 and 11, 2010; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
As times change, we need to understand and utilize new technologies that are available. As clinics, hospitals and teaching institutions are advancing radiography equipment to include digital radiography systems, it is imperative that technicians understand this technology and become an asset in utilizing it in practice. Digital radiography will provide benefits that can outweigh the costs as technology continues to improve. However, while providing a myriad of advantages digital imaging does have some weaknesses the user needs to be aware of. How digital radiography works including the advantages and disadvantages, the equipment involved, options available, system requirements, and maintenance will be reviewed. Educating veterinary technicians is essential when considering moving a practice forward. The benefits digital radiography can offer, combined with knowledgeable technicians will provide the best utilization of these technologies for an efficient, progressive hospital while keeping the focus on the health of your patients.

The course will be presented in two (2) 90 minute real time interactive live sessions and will include online handouts, quizzes, and message board discussion interaction with both the instructor and other course participants. Ms. Wochesen has years of experience in teaching radiology to veterinary students with both large and small animals including digital radiography, and nuclear medicine imaging.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• describe how digital systems work.
• distinguish how a digital system differs from standard screen-film systems.
• discuss why digital radiography may benefit your hospital.
• identify what to look for before purchasing.
• discuss advantages and disadvantages associated with digital imaging.
• review image acquisition and post processing.
• interpret an apply technique requirements, including the effect mAs and kVp have on digital images.
• examine artefacts, over- and underexposure as they are quite different than with regular screen film.
• give examples of common problems with digital radiography including dose creep, over exposure, collimation, and radiation safety.

TEXTBOOKS:
There are NO required textbooks for this course.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: How digital radiography works
Content: We will begin by outlining how digital imaging works. How is digital radiography different from the current system you may have, or used in the past? We will also discuss the different systems available, including DR and CR. Discussion will also focus on a detailed look at what the hospital needs including digital hardware and software, pre and post processing, algorithms and other benefits associated with digital systems.

Week 2: Digital and computed radiography
Content: The second section will focus on day-to-day functioning of the digital radiography system. This includes looking at artifacts, over exposure and underexposure and how to problem solve. KVp and mAs will be discussed as well as the differences in exposure and technique requirements. There are specific problems associated with digital imaging, which include dose creep and increased repeats. Radiation safety will be included in this lecture. We will review these principles and look at alternatives to decrease exposure. Lastly, we will look at how we can prepare if and when the system fails.

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.

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: 3

TUITION:
$60 ($54 early bird special if registered before September 14, 2010).
*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). 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 director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

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

**For more on how online CE works see the VSPN Participant's Resource Center

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee 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.
4. 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 approved for 3 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB 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 VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 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 through VHMA.

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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. (Refund policy 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 withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & VSPN CE Director

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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