POLICY ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF IV CONTRAST

MEDIA
1. Intravenous contrast material is to be
administered by a qualified physician or
trained radiologic nurse.
2. A radiologist or radiology resident/fellow will
administer all other parenteral contrast
material.
3. The supervising physician will prescribe the
nature, dose and rate of contrast administration.
4. The patients risk status will be assessed prior
to contrast administration, so as to determine
the type, quantity and dose of contrast to be
administered.
5. During and following the injection, the
administering individual will remain with the
patient to observe for possible reactions.
6. Emergency equipment and emergency
pharmaceuticals must be available.
7. A radiological technologist may prepare the
contrast media and prepare the delivery unit
(syringe, power injector, etc.).

Persons administering contrast media and
those performing the imaging procedures
must have an understanding of indications for
use of contrast media as well as the potential
side effects and the management.
The supervising physician must be physically
present in the facility and available in order to
provide immediate medical intervention to
prevent injury to the patient in the event of an
adverse contrast reaction.
Iodinated IV contrast media are
pharmaceuticals and have potentially life-
threatening adverse reactions.
Most major and minor reactions will occur in
patients without any known risk factors.
Virtually all life-threatening adverse reactions
occur immediately or within 20minutes after
contrast injection.
INFORMED CONSENT
Informed consent will be obtained by the
requesting physician or the radiologist in
the department.
Registered nurses and radiologic
technologists are permitted to WITNESS
consents.
All personnel administering contrast are
required to confirm the presence of a
consent PRIOR to injection.
INFORMED CONSENT
The struggle between paternalism and
autonomy forms the basis for the doctrine
informed consent.
PATERNALISM the belief that one should, on
the basis of of doing good for the patient, limit
the patients personal autonomy.
AUTONOMY having the capacity and right to
decide; the right and ability of the patient to
participate in and finally decide questions
involving their care.
Require before any risky or invasive
procedures.
Information is given to the patient about the:
Nature of the procedure
Purpose of the procedure
Potential risks involved
Reasonable alternatives that might be
chosen
ELEMENTS
DISCLOSURE transfer of information
from a professional to clients
UNDERSTANDING maybe the most
important element in the process of
obtaining an informed consent.
VOLUNTARINESS the client will the
action without being under the control of
another agents influence
COMPETENCE decision-making
capacity
CONSENT
FORMS of CONSENT
ORAL
IMPLIED used in cases where immediate
action is required to save a patient from death
or permanent impairment of health
Therapeutic privilege allows health care
providers to proceed with care even
without consent in cases of emergency,
incompetence
WRITTEN preferred form of consent

GENERAL signed when the patient is
admitted to the unit permitting the
health care providers to perform routine
services.

SPECIAL for specific high risks
procedures that expose the patient to
some unusual risk.
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST
Also known as medical radiation technologist
and radiographer.
Performs imaging of the human body for
diagnosis or treating medical problems.
RT use their expertise and knowledge of
patient handling, physics, anatomy,
physiology, pathology, and radiology to
assess patients, develop optimal radiologic
techniques or plans to evaluate resulting
radiographic images.
Radiologic technology modalities or
specialties
Diagnostic radiography deals with
examination of internal organs, bones,
cavities, and foreign objects; includes
cardiovascular imaging and interventional
radiography
Sonography uses high frequency sound and
is used in: obstetrics, abdominal, pediatrics,
cardiac, vascular, and musculo-skeletal region
imaging
Fluoroscopy live motion radiography
(constant radiation) usually used to visualize
the digestive system, monitor the
administration of contrast agents to highlight
vessels and organs, or to help position devices
within the body (eg. pacemakers, stents)
CT (computed tomography) provides cross-
sectional views (slices) of the body; can also
reconstruct additional images from those
taken to provide more information in either
2D or 3D.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
builds a 2D or 3D map of different tissue
types within the body.
Nuclear medicine uses radioactive
tracers which can be administered to
examine how the body and organs
function, for example the kidneys or
heart. Certain isotopes can also be
administered to treat certain cancers,
such as thyroid
Radiotherapy uses radiation to shrink,
and sometimes eradicate cancerous
cells/growth in and on the body.

Mammography uses low dose x-ray
systems to produce images of the human
breasts