Imaging in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) plays a crucial role in patient care, chest radiography is the most requested exam for COVID – 19 patients in ICU context. The high risk of exposure to the virus may influence the quality of the exams. The objective of this study is to compare the fulfillment of the criteria for good performance in chest radiography in the ICU, before and during the critical phase of the pandemic COVID-19. Thirty-two images were evaluated, sixteen before the pandemic and sixteen to COVID – 19 patients, according to a scale of 8 items, scored 8 to 25 points, inversely proportional to the degree of compliance. There were no significant differences in the mean values between the groups, except in the presence of artifacts, showing that the images performed on COVID - 19 patients met these criteria better/more effectively. The results suggest that, in spite of the increased stress resulting from exposure to the new virus, the quality standard in the ICU exams is maintained.

Despite the role that Radiographers play in the NHS, which is not properly recognized, and the several struggles they have faced in trying to obtain a attractive and fair career, it would be unimaginable that they would have a totally different fight against an unknown virus. Due to its extreme speed of dissemination and its pandemic incidence, there was a need to adapt practices and services in order to minimize the risk of infection. Thus, this document intends to identify the available evidence related to the role of radiographers and the adopted strategies in order to minimize the risk of infection. Using different research descriptors, a literature review was carried out in the several databases (Scopus, ScienceDirect, Pubmed and Scielo), and a total of 25 final documents were obtained. These were analyzed using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Program. The evidence identifies several organizational approaches in radiology departments and in the radiographer practices, in order to provide an adequate and safe response in the current context. The awareness and knowledge of protection procedures are referred to as priorities, which must be obtained through appropriate training and education. Radiographers are frontline warriors in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and have played an irreplaceable role in the provision of healthcare.

SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19), was declared by the World Health Organization as an international pandemic, on March 11, 2020. This work aims to share procedures and best practices in CT, adopted in the context of a COVID-19 protocol established in the radiology department of the CHUC (HUC), as well as the characterization of the sample of patients evaluated as suspected of the COVID-19. A retrospective study was carried out of the CT exams performed during the month of March and April 2020, for which the protocol was activated. After analysis, we found that 70% of individuals underwent an exam between 6 pm and 12 am. In the total sample, the percentage of males was higher than that of females, with individuals distributed between the age group between fifty and eighty years, and the most performed examination was the brain CT scan. The General Hospital (HG) being the assistance structure dedicated to SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19) and the HUC being the general emergency assistance structure, which saw a global reduction in its activity, and a consequent decrease the number of CT scans performed, related to the epidemiological phase. Despite these circumstances, we found that the number of CT scans performed increases with the demand for emergency services, failing to establish a relationship with the pandemic once, that 90% of the CT scans performed were related to non-COVID-19 disease. The involvement of the entire team of Radiology Technicians contributed to the harmonization and optimization of procedures, minimizing risks, and ensuring the safety of patients and professionals.

In a scenario of constant economic uncertainty there is a need to improve the quality of health care delivery. To this end, it is imperative to define institutionalized procedures and mechanisms for monitoring, evaluating and correcting, to continuously improve, as well as mechanisms for monitoring, evaluating and developing Quality Management Systems. Essential to ensure that the practice of radiology is safe, accurate, optimized and guarantees the highest quality to the patient, always meeting the requirements of the health care policy and containing the costs.A case study was carried out, using a questionnaire to determine if the Radiology Technicians in General Imagiology and Neurological Imagiology Departments, with an implemented Quality Management System, have a culture of quality. The response rate of the Technicians to this questionnaire was 84.7% (83/98).In conclusion, Radiology Technicians perceive the importance of quality and are receptive to new ideas to increase it, however, they demonstrate a worrying lack of knowledge about the basic concepts of quality. These professionals’ culture of quality demonstrates gaps that can compromise the success of the Quality Management System of their departments, one of the main causes being the small supply of training on quality for these professionals.

Several studies carried out in Portugal and other countries show the poor knowledge of the population and other health professionals about Radiology, Radiographer and radiation risks. Results suggest the need to improve communication on these issues throughout the community. In this way, the Portuguese association NUCLIRAD started in 2018 the programme "Radiology for All", with the creation and promotion of diverse contents directed to teach all age groups like children, adults and older people, with the objective of promoting Radiology and the Radiographer profession to the entire community.

Introduction: The recent significant changes observed in Education, the bureaucratic and legislative confusion that came to be evidenced by the merger of 3 courses in a single degree (MIR) and the absence of regulation and control mechanisms in the profession, necessarily refers to a need of consolidation and stability. Thus, this study aimed to explore and analyze the perception of Radiographers about the state of the art of the education and the profession and about their legitimate expectations.Methods: A previously validated questionnaire was distributed electronically to all coordinators of public and private imaging departments from Portugal, and their internal disclosure by radiographers was requested. A total of 251 valid questionnaires was obtained for purposes of statistical analysis. Results: In the opinion of Radiographers, the current degree in MIR did not allow to improve the knowledge, skills and attitudes of professionals (x = 2.09 ± 1.036), with statistically significant differences observed between Radiographers graduated in Radiography and those graduated in MIR (U = 1913.5; p = 0.000). For 70% of respondents, the degree of preparation of MIR students is also lower, with no respondent selecting option 5 on the scale (more prepared compared to the previous study cycle).Conclusion: In the perception of Radiographers of this study, the path of professional specialization and mandatory continuous training are essential requirements for the consolidation of the profession and its social recognition. For this achievement, it is essential to have a professional public association that properly regulates and represents the Radiographer profession.  

Introduction: The professional practice of the radiographers must be constantly reviewed and questioned, and with decision-making processes supported by the most recent scientific evidence, which enhance the improvement of service quality and patient safety. Thus, the objective of this research was to analyze the informational behavior of radiographers during their clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A descriptive quantitative methodology was adopted, using a self-administered survey to a total of 101 radiographers working in radiology departments in the Algarve region. Results: A response rate of 61.4% (n=62) was obtained. The information sources most used by radiographers are Internet search engines (48.4%), followed by consultation more experienced colleagues (38.7%) and health websites or other medical research tools (37.1%). 9.7% did not use any information source in the last month. In addition, it was found that the most frequent doubts in the clinical context of radiographers are related to the principle of "Optimization" (29.8%), the "Technical acquisition parameters" (16.1%) and the principle of Justification (13.7% ). Conclusion: The radiographers in this study should improve their developmental stages in the information search process, through adequate education and training, in order to ensure the support and strategies necessary to increase the effectiveness of information search. For that, planning, monitoring and evaluation strategies of the results of the bibliographic search must be implemented.

Introdução: Os cuidados de saúde primários constituem o primeiro ponto de contacto entre o utente e o sistema de saúde e a integração de serviços de radiologia neste âmbito, tem um contributo fundamental no serviço nacional de saúde, especialmente, para aumentar a acessibilidade e proximidade dos cuidados. O diagnóstico da osteoporose inicia-se nos cuidados de saúde primários, e a densitometria óssea por absorciometria de raios-x de dupla energia é o método padrão de ouro, no entanto, tem as suas limitações. A tecnologia de multiespectrometria ecográfica de radiofrequência surgiu como uma alternativa promissora, este método, que não utiliza radiação ionizante, é portátil, acessível, facilita o diagnóstico precoce. Objetivos: Pretende-se com este estudo avaliar a eficácia da multiespectrometria ecográfica de radiofrequência, e desta forma também demostrar a versatilidade do técnico de radiologia nos cuidados de saúde primários. Metodologia: A densidade mineral óssea foi medida na coluna lombar e no fémur utilizando a tecnologia multiespectrometria ecográfica de radiofrequência em 86 participantes dos centros de saúde de Mêda e Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Resultados: Na coluna lombar, 51,2% dos participantes apresentavam osteopenia e 31,4% osteoporose; no fémur, 43,0% tinham osteopenia e 34,9% osteoporose. Os dados indicaram uma prevalência significativa de fragilidade óssea. A densidade mineral óssea estimada pela multiespectrometria ecográfica de radiofrequência mostrou boa concordância com o diagnóstico clínico, sugerindo que esta tecnologia é eficaz para a deteção precoce da osteoporose nos cuidados de saúde primários. Contudo, não foi observada uma associação significativa entre densidade mineral óssea e fraturas. Os participantes revelaram elevada satisfação com a realização dos exames pelo técnico de radiologia nos cuidados de saúde primários, sem necessidade de deslocação, e apreciaram o facto de o método não utilizar radiação ionizante. Conclusão: A realização de exames de densitometria óssea pelo método de multiespectrometria ecográfica de radiofrequência, executados pelo técnico de radiologia, nos cuidados de saúde primários, representa um avanço significativo na deteção e monitorização da osteoporose, contribuindo para a sustentabilidade do sistema de saúde.

A humanidade, a ciência e o setor da saúde atravessam uma era de transformação marcada pela integração de Inteligência Artificial e algoritmos de reconstrução de nova geração na Imagiologia, em particular na Tomografia Computorizada Cardíaca. Este relatório de estágio, desenvolvido na Diaton – Centro de Tomografia Computorizada, S.A., em Coimbra, demonstra que a otimização da imagem cardiovascular não depende exclusivamente da tecnologia, mas da articulação entre a precisão algorítmica e a estabilização psicofisiológica do utente. Embora os avanços tecnológicos permitam reduzir o ruído e corrigir movimentos residuais, a mediação humana e a relação terapêutica estabelecida pelo Técnico de Radiologia são determinantes para garantir a colaboração necessária à aquisição de imagens de qualidade. Neste contexto, a comunicação inclusiva e a acessibilidade assumem-se como condições essenciais para a concretização do direito à proteção da saúde, permitindo ultrapassar barreiras sensoriais e cognitivas que possam comprometer a segurança e a eficácia diagnóstica. O projeto desenvolvido centra-se na construção de uma estratégia de literacia em saúde orientada para a pessoa, baseada na implementação de ferramentas pedagógicas e guiões comunicacionais que promovem a autoeficácia do utente. A intervenção foca-se na regulação do sistema nervoso autónomo, no controlo da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e na execução adequada da mecânica respiratória, fatores determinantes para a redução de artefactos de movimento e para a aplicação rigorosa do princípio ALARA. Como contributo prático, foi implementada uma intervenção pedagógica destinada a capacitar o utente para uma participação ativa no exame, reforçando o papel do Técnico de Radiologia como agente de ensino e facilitador da colaboração. Assim, a excelência do diagnóstico cardiovascular resulta da integração entre tecnologia avançada e cuidado humanizado, onde a relação profissional–utente se assume como elemento central para a qualidade diagnóstica e a segurança radiológica.

Purpose: To assess current practices in digital mammography (DM) in Portuguese healthcare providers using digital systems. To investigate compliance with European standards regarding mean glandular dose and quality control practice and to identify optimisation needs. Methods: Two questionnaires, targeted at breast radiographers and chief radiographers, were designed and applied in 65 imaging departments offering DM. Questions fielded were focused on the staff profile and technical/clinical practice. Results: Prior to starting their activity in DM, 70% (82 out of 118) of the respondents received training in DM. The practice in 29 out of 59 providers was established by the manufacturers’ recommendations for image acquisition. Variations were observed between radiographers who belong to the same provider namely the selection of exposure parameters such as the target-filter combination and automatic mode. The use of the manual exposure mode was reported for imaging breast implants (44%) and surgical specimens (22%). The main causes of repeat examinations were skin folding (21%) and absence of pectoral muscle (PM) (20%). Conclusions: The study revealed opportunities to optimise radiographers’ practice in DM regarding the selection of exposure parameters. A robust and consistent training programme in DM and established local protocols can help to reduce the variations observed and improve clinical practice. Main Messages: • Radiographers adopted different practices selecting AEC modes and T/F combinations. • Radiographer practice is more consistent using DR than using CR systems. • The main causes for rejecting images were the visibility of skin folding and PM absence. • Radiographers were partly unaware of the dose indicator. • Radiographers’ training needs: QC, interventional procedures and breast dose optimisation.