Patient care in computed tomography

Computed Tomography (CT) plays an integral role in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of illness and disease. CT radiographers manage countless patient presentations, from trauma patients in the emergency room, acute stroke patients to high dependency patients from the intensive care unit. Practitioners endeavour to provide best patient care alongside a high level of technical ability to provide optimal imaging. This chapter explores how patient care in the CT department is multi-faceted. With a shift from a typically technical focus to a more patient centred approach, it is imperative that, alongside a high level of technical skill and ability, radiographers have a distinguished level of interpersonal skills. Practitioners must have a strong understanding and correlation between high level of communication skills with patients, their families and other healthcare workers within the interdisciplinary team. In a fast-paced CT environment, radiographers must be agile in technique modification whilst maintaining patient care and recognising that every patient experience can vary from one to the next. Ultimately, radiographers see patients in their most vulnerable state, so we must understand the importance of patient preparation and communication whilst considering the patient demographic, cognitive and physical abilities whilst maintaining an extraordinary level of care.