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. 2013 Apr;56(2):109-12.
doi: 10.1503/cjs.015311.

Survey of terminology used for the intraoperative direction of C-arm fluoroscopy

Elliott Pally  1 , Hans J Kreder
Affiliations

Survey of terminology used for the intraoperative direction of C-arm fluoroscopy

Elliott Pally et al. Can J Surg. 2013 Apr.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Orthopedic surgeons depend on the intraoperative use of fluoroscopy to facilitate procedures across all subspecialties. The versatility of the C-arm fluoroscope allows acquisition of nearly any radiographic view. This versatility, however, creates the opportunity for difficulty in communication between surgeon and radiation technologist. Poor communication leads to delays, frustration and increased exposure to ionizing radiation. There is currently no standard terminology employed by surgeons and technologists with regards to direction of the fluoroscope.

Methods: The investigation consisted of a web-based survey in 2 parts. Part 1 was administered to the membership of the Canadian Orthopedic Association, part 2 to the membership of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. The survey consisted of open-ended or multiple-choice questions examining experience with the C-arm fluoroscope and the terminology preferred by both orthopedic surgeons and radiation technologists.

Results: The survey revealed tremendous inconsistency in language used by orthopedic surgeons and radiation technologists. It also revealed that many radiation technologists were inexperienced in operating the fluoroscope.

Conclusion: Adoption of a common language has been demonstrated to increase efficiency in performing defined tasks with the fluoroscope. We offer a potential system to facilitate communication based on current terminology used among Canadian orthopedic surgeons and radiation technologists.

Contexte: Peu importe leur surspécialité, les chirurgiens orthopédistes ont besoin de la fluoroscopie peropératoire pour guider les interventions. La polyvalence du fluoroscope à bras en C permet l’acquisition de n’importe quelle image radiographique ou presque. Cette polyvalence comporte toutefois son lot de problèmes de communication entre le chirurgien et le technologue en radiation médicale. Or, une piètre communication va de pair avec des retards, de la frustration et une exposition plus longue aux rayons ionisants. Actuellement, les chirurgiens et les technologues en radiation médicale n’utilisent pas une terminologie standardisée pour désigner l’orientation du fluoroscope.

Méthodes: L’étude a reposé sur un questionnaire administré en 2 parties sur Internet. La partie 1 s’adressait aux membres de l’Association canadienne d’orthopédie et la partie 2, aux membres de l’Association canadienne des technologues en radiation médicale. Le sondage était composé de questions ouvertes ou à choix multiples et portait sur l’expérience des répondants avec le fluoroscope à bras en C et la terminologie préférée des chirurgiens orthopédistes et des technologues en radiation médicale.

Résultats: Le sondage a révélé un écart considérable entre les termes utilisés par les chirurgiens orthopédistes et les technologues en radiation médicale. Il a en outre montré que l’expérience de nombreux technologues en radiation médicale laissait à désirer en ce qui concerne le maniement du fluoroscope.

Conclusion: On a démontré que l’adoption d’une terminologie commune améliore l’efficacité de réalisation de certaines tâches précises avec le fluoroscope. Pour faciliter la communication, nous proposons un système fondé sur la terminologie actuelle utilisée par les chirurgiens orthopédistes et les technologues en radiation médicale du Canada.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Survey respondents’ level of experience.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Summary of responses to the survey question “How would you ask the technician to perform the movement in the above illustration?”
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Summary of responses to the survey question “What portion of your time is spent operating a C-arm fluoroscope?”
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Suggested terminology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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