As we push for support for the CARE bill, we look for your input on getting it through. Many of you have showed your support through letters to your congressman, but we need more. How can we get more technologists involved in this important act?
Don't know what the CARE Bill is? Scroll down to read the latest news!
Monday, April 2, 2007
Technologists
The OSRT strives to meet your continuing education needs. Tell us how you maintain your continuing education credits. When you look for CE credits, what do you look for? Do you prefer to attend meetings? Or maybe you like the convenience of at home readings? We want to help!
Educators: Share your thoughts of the new radiography curriculum
As you may have heard, the ASRT has accepted a new radiography curiculum. See the ASRT posting of the revised changes http://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/foreducators/radiographycurrdraft.pdf and place your comments here.
Student Input Needed
We want to know more about you!
Are you approaching graduation and thinking about where you would like to work? Maybe you have a certain career path in mind. We would like to know what type of jobs you are looking for. Share your thoughts with other students here!
Are you approaching graduation and thinking about where you would like to work? Maybe you have a certain career path in mind. We would like to know what type of jobs you are looking for. Share your thoughts with other students here!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Gadolinium Exposure Independently Linked to Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy
Yael Waknine
February 23, 2007 — Exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agents during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies has been independently linked to nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), according study results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the February 23 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
NFD was first identified in 1997 as a fibrotic disorder of the skin in patients with renal failure; since then, systemic involvement has led to interchangeable use of the term nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Although it is not well understood, potential risk factors for the condition have included renal failure severity, thrombotic episodes, edema, and vascular procedures.
The impetus for the study was generated by a report from the Danish Medicines Agency regarding 25 cases of NFD in patients recently exposed to a gadolinium-containing contrast agent for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at doses higher than that recommended for MRI.
As of December 21, 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration had received 90 reports of patients with moderate to end-stage renal disease who developed NFD within 2 days to 18 months of gadolinium exposure during MRI or MRA.
The current study was undertaken in response to a cluster of NFD cases reported from the dialysis unit of a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, in May 2006 and involved an analysis of data from 19 case patients and 57 matched control patients.
After adjusting for other significant factors such as age, dependent edema, history of deep vein thrombosis, and history of hypothyroidism, results showed that exposure to gadolinium remained a significant factor.
NFD patients were significantly more likely than controls to have been exposed to gadolinium-containing contrast agents during the 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 6.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92 - 19.52) or year (OR, 7.99; 95% CI, 2.22 - 28.77) preceding diagnosis. Although 5 case patients had no identified gadolinium exposure within this time frame, 4 had been exposed from 16 to 68 months prior to diagnosis.
In addition, comparison of 14 case patients with a similar number of gadolinium-exposed control patients showed that the former were more likely to have primarily received peritoneal dialysis in the preceding 6 months (36% vs 0%), required dialysis for a longer period of time (median, 27 vs 10 months), and received multiple exposures.
Healthcare professionals are therefore advised to refrain from using gadolinium-containing contrast agents in patients with advanced renal failure, particularly those undergoing peritoneal dialysis, according to the CDC. Consideration should be given to using other radiologic modalities such as ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) if possible.
If alternatives to gadolinium-enhanced procedures are not feasible, prompt hemodialysis should be considered after the procedure to facilitate clearance; however, its utility for reducing NFD development or progression remains unknown. For patients with no other hemodialysis indication, the risks associated with establishing access should be weighed against these theoretical benefits.
Patients at risk for NFD should be closely observed after gadolinium exposure and instructed to contact a healthcare professionals regarding potential symptoms such as skin burning, itching, reddened/darkened patches and/or inflammation, hardening, and/or tightening; yellow raised spots on the sclera; and joint stiffness, limited range of peripheral movement, deep hip/rib pain, and/or muscle weakness.
Five gadolinium products are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in MRI: Omniscan (Amersham Health, GE Healthcare), OptiMARK (Mallinckrodt, Inc), Magnevist (Berlex Laboratories, Inc), ProHance (Bracco Diagnostics, Inc), and MultiHance (Bracco Diagnostics, Inc).
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to report cases of NFD potentially associated with exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agents to the FDA's MedWatch reporting program by telephone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or by mail to 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.
MMWR. 2007;56(7):137-141.
February 23, 2007 — Exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agents during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies has been independently linked to nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), according study results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the February 23 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
NFD was first identified in 1997 as a fibrotic disorder of the skin in patients with renal failure; since then, systemic involvement has led to interchangeable use of the term nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Although it is not well understood, potential risk factors for the condition have included renal failure severity, thrombotic episodes, edema, and vascular procedures.
The impetus for the study was generated by a report from the Danish Medicines Agency regarding 25 cases of NFD in patients recently exposed to a gadolinium-containing contrast agent for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at doses higher than that recommended for MRI.
As of December 21, 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration had received 90 reports of patients with moderate to end-stage renal disease who developed NFD within 2 days to 18 months of gadolinium exposure during MRI or MRA.
The current study was undertaken in response to a cluster of NFD cases reported from the dialysis unit of a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, in May 2006 and involved an analysis of data from 19 case patients and 57 matched control patients.
After adjusting for other significant factors such as age, dependent edema, history of deep vein thrombosis, and history of hypothyroidism, results showed that exposure to gadolinium remained a significant factor.
NFD patients were significantly more likely than controls to have been exposed to gadolinium-containing contrast agents during the 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 6.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92 - 19.52) or year (OR, 7.99; 95% CI, 2.22 - 28.77) preceding diagnosis. Although 5 case patients had no identified gadolinium exposure within this time frame, 4 had been exposed from 16 to 68 months prior to diagnosis.
In addition, comparison of 14 case patients with a similar number of gadolinium-exposed control patients showed that the former were more likely to have primarily received peritoneal dialysis in the preceding 6 months (36% vs 0%), required dialysis for a longer period of time (median, 27 vs 10 months), and received multiple exposures.
Healthcare professionals are therefore advised to refrain from using gadolinium-containing contrast agents in patients with advanced renal failure, particularly those undergoing peritoneal dialysis, according to the CDC. Consideration should be given to using other radiologic modalities such as ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) if possible.
If alternatives to gadolinium-enhanced procedures are not feasible, prompt hemodialysis should be considered after the procedure to facilitate clearance; however, its utility for reducing NFD development or progression remains unknown. For patients with no other hemodialysis indication, the risks associated with establishing access should be weighed against these theoretical benefits.
Patients at risk for NFD should be closely observed after gadolinium exposure and instructed to contact a healthcare professionals regarding potential symptoms such as skin burning, itching, reddened/darkened patches and/or inflammation, hardening, and/or tightening; yellow raised spots on the sclera; and joint stiffness, limited range of peripheral movement, deep hip/rib pain, and/or muscle weakness.
Five gadolinium products are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in MRI: Omniscan (Amersham Health, GE Healthcare), OptiMARK (Mallinckrodt, Inc), Magnevist (Berlex Laboratories, Inc), ProHance (Bracco Diagnostics, Inc), and MultiHance (Bracco Diagnostics, Inc).
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to report cases of NFD potentially associated with exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agents to the FDA's MedWatch reporting program by telephone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or by mail to 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.
MMWR. 2007;56(7):137-141.
CARE Bill update from ASRT
CARE Bill Introduced in House of Representatives
Jan. 22, 2007Bill Undergoes Name Change
ALBUQUERQUE — The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill (CARE bill) was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 19.. This bill, H.R. 583, introduced by Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., was previously known as the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence bill. The lead Republican cosponsor on the bill is Rep. Chip Pickering, from Mississippi, who has been a long time supporter of the legislation and helped advance the bill in the 109th Congress to its furthest point to date. Other cosponsors of the bill are Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Lois Capps, D-Calif.; John J. Duncan, Jr., R-Tenn.; Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; and Heather Wilson, R-N.M.
"We're very pleased that the bill was introduced so early in the session," said Christine Lung, ASRT's director of government relations. "The CARE bill came very close to passing last year, and this is the earliest it has ever been introduced into a session. We want to keep the momentum going. This is the fifth time the bill has been introduced into Congress and each time, we get closer."
The RadCARE bill was unanimously passed by the Senate in December 2006. Last-minute efforts to get the bill through Congress, however, were not successful. "It was all about time. We simply ran out of it," said Ms. Lung. "However, with the passing of the bill by the Senate and a new Democratic leadership following the November 2006 elections, we feel we are in a very strong position to get the bill passed this year."
The CARE bill would require people performing the technical components of medical imaging and radiation therapy to meet federal education and credentialing standards in order to participate in federal health programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and other programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Medical imaging examinations and procedures, as well as radiation therapy treatments for patients covered under these programs, would need to be performed by personnel meeting the federal standards in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
ASRT, along with the other members of the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, decided to change the name of the bill from the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence bill, to the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill with its introduction into this year's session of Congress. The CARE bill is the short name for both the House and the Senate versions of the bill. The short title for the Senate version of the bill had been the RadCARE bill.
The new name came about when the Alliance, a group of 20 radiologic science organizations representing more than 350,000 imaging technologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists, felt it was time for a change. "We felt that changing the name was important," said Ms. Lung. "The new name more accurately reflects the global nature of medical imaging, which now plays an important role in every area of medicine. With more than 300 million imaging procedures performed annually, patient care and safety are even more important now." The Alliance also felt name recognition was important, so they decided to continue to use the CARE bill as the short title.
Contact: Michelle Stephens, 800-444-2778, Ext. 1287
Jan. 22, 2007Bill Undergoes Name Change
ALBUQUERQUE — The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill (CARE bill) was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 19.. This bill, H.R. 583, introduced by Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., was previously known as the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence bill. The lead Republican cosponsor on the bill is Rep. Chip Pickering, from Mississippi, who has been a long time supporter of the legislation and helped advance the bill in the 109th Congress to its furthest point to date. Other cosponsors of the bill are Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Lois Capps, D-Calif.; John J. Duncan, Jr., R-Tenn.; Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; and Heather Wilson, R-N.M.
"We're very pleased that the bill was introduced so early in the session," said Christine Lung, ASRT's director of government relations. "The CARE bill came very close to passing last year, and this is the earliest it has ever been introduced into a session. We want to keep the momentum going. This is the fifth time the bill has been introduced into Congress and each time, we get closer."
The RadCARE bill was unanimously passed by the Senate in December 2006. Last-minute efforts to get the bill through Congress, however, were not successful. "It was all about time. We simply ran out of it," said Ms. Lung. "However, with the passing of the bill by the Senate and a new Democratic leadership following the November 2006 elections, we feel we are in a very strong position to get the bill passed this year."
The CARE bill would require people performing the technical components of medical imaging and radiation therapy to meet federal education and credentialing standards in order to participate in federal health programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and other programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Medical imaging examinations and procedures, as well as radiation therapy treatments for patients covered under these programs, would need to be performed by personnel meeting the federal standards in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
ASRT, along with the other members of the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, decided to change the name of the bill from the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence bill, to the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill with its introduction into this year's session of Congress. The CARE bill is the short name for both the House and the Senate versions of the bill. The short title for the Senate version of the bill had been the RadCARE bill.
The new name came about when the Alliance, a group of 20 radiologic science organizations representing more than 350,000 imaging technologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists, felt it was time for a change. "We felt that changing the name was important," said Ms. Lung. "The new name more accurately reflects the global nature of medical imaging, which now plays an important role in every area of medicine. With more than 300 million imaging procedures performed annually, patient care and safety are even more important now." The Alliance also felt name recognition was important, so they decided to continue to use the CARE bill as the short title.
Contact: Michelle Stephens, 800-444-2778, Ext. 1287
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