Pediatric Fluoroscopy Lower Dose A new fluoroscopy unit and waiting room designed specifically for pediatric patients is now open for business, elevating TMC’s ability to meet the imaging needs of this growing patient group. Indeed, TMC Radiology and Imaging has seen a 50 percent increase in cases over the past five years. Now, pediatric patients brought to TMC from throughout Southern Arizona can take advantage of this customized area that features specially trained staff and a software package that reduces radiation by almost 80 percent. That, combined with child friendly décor and amenities such as a TV/DVD system, provide for a more pleasant experience for children. “We can make the kids comfortable and have them exposed to as little trauma as possible,” said Luis Sapien, TMC’s manager of Radiology and Ultrasound. “And it puts the parents’ minds at ease.” With a generous grant from the TMC Foundation, the fluoroscopy machine was upgraded to allow for digital pulse fluoroscopy, a digital fluoroscopy loop and dose monitoring system. The technology delivers the radiation in pulses, lowering the amount significantly compared to
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traditional fluoroscopy, Sapien said. The dose monitoring system records the level of radiation each child receives, providing physicians with better information upon which to make decisions. “Every time a child comes in, we are monitoring their dose and it is noted in their record how much radiation they received,” Sapien said. “When they come in once, it’s not really a factor. When a child comes in two to three times in a couple of weeks because of intestinal problems that need to be checked, we want to watch the accumulation.” A video recording system is an additional upgrade that enables the technicians to record patients emptying their bladders or swallowing, so physicians can view the entire process and note any problems. “If residents or attending physicians want to come in and look, they can ask questions, fast-forward, and slow it down. It is a great tool.” Perhaps most importantly, the unit boasts a team of specially trained radiological technologists, a child-life specialist, diagnostic nurses and radiologists dedicated to the area every day.