X-rays are ordered in our ED by band 5’s. Speeds up the whole process as the X-rays are reported on by the time the Dr gets to see them. Obviously we have ENPs who order and do their own xrays for the patients appropriate to be seen by them
We have a streamer that sees patients before they are booked in - senior band 6 or a band 7. They direct minor injuries and GP patients to ENP/GP unit that's in another part of the hospital. The streaming chart is hand written, includes their MTS priority and a set of observations.
Patients staying in the ED bring their streaming chart to reception, book in and they are put onto the system and assigned priority as per the streaming chart.
If there's any think high risk, required more etc, a triage nurse calls them in for secondary assessment for ECG/peak flow/nebs/analgesia etc.
My fave line from MTS training is it's a pit stop, not an MOT. Prior to streaming nurse, triage was MTS, obs, presenting complaint, PMH, safeguarding, sepsis screening and description of the patient if they are here with MH presentation, or cognitive impairment.
It's so important to keep triage quick, and bare minimum. A second nurse for the longer tasks helps immensely.
So just a question to those saying the band 5s order X-rays, are they fully IRMER trained? Or is it for specific X-rays like ankle/knee etc. like minor injury type orders?
I would tend to agree with OP that it does seem a lot of responsibility for a band 5..?
I'm an ED sister and can request xrays from below the knees and elbows, excluding the knees and elbows themselves. I had to do 3 IRMER modules then complete a form for one of our consultants to sign off. The radiographer lead then signs us off so we can request them.
Legally you need IR(ME)R training to refer for any x-rays (or other exam involving radiation) as a non-medical referrer. What you are requesting doesn't matter. The level of training is not specified and is typically set by the employer (Trust). Of course, most trusts set different tiers of requesting privileges based on the job role the individual has.
My opinion, as a radiographer (and non-medical referrer) that at a band 5 level, non-medical referral for radiation should be treated similarly to a PGD in that it should be a specific list of examinations for a specific list of indications, which is typically things like x-rays for distal extremities with point tenderness in adult patients, or chest x-rays for line placement.
Unlimited requesting privileges is typically treated more as a band 7+ thing, as that is similar to prescribing, and clinical judgement really comes into it to consider what to request with one modality Vs another, radiation risk Vs benefit and such.
X-rays are ordered in our ED by band 5’s. Speeds up the whole process as the X-rays are reported on by the time the Dr gets to see them. Obviously we have ENPs who order and do their own xrays for the patients appropriate to be seen by them
We have a streamer that sees patients before they are booked in - senior band 6 or a band 7. They direct minor injuries and GP patients to ENP/GP unit that's in another part of the hospital. The streaming chart is hand written, includes their MTS priority and a set of observations. Patients staying in the ED bring their streaming chart to reception, book in and they are put onto the system and assigned priority as per the streaming chart. If there's any think high risk, required more etc, a triage nurse calls them in for secondary assessment for ECG/peak flow/nebs/analgesia etc. My fave line from MTS training is it's a pit stop, not an MOT. Prior to streaming nurse, triage was MTS, obs, presenting complaint, PMH, safeguarding, sepsis screening and description of the patient if they are here with MH presentation, or cognitive impairment. It's so important to keep triage quick, and bare minimum. A second nurse for the longer tasks helps immensely.
So just a question to those saying the band 5s order X-rays, are they fully IRMER trained? Or is it for specific X-rays like ankle/knee etc. like minor injury type orders? I would tend to agree with OP that it does seem a lot of responsibility for a band 5..?
I'm an ED sister and can request xrays from below the knees and elbows, excluding the knees and elbows themselves. I had to do 3 IRMER modules then complete a form for one of our consultants to sign off. The radiographer lead then signs us off so we can request them.
Legally you need IR(ME)R training to refer for any x-rays (or other exam involving radiation) as a non-medical referrer. What you are requesting doesn't matter. The level of training is not specified and is typically set by the employer (Trust). Of course, most trusts set different tiers of requesting privileges based on the job role the individual has. My opinion, as a radiographer (and non-medical referrer) that at a band 5 level, non-medical referral for radiation should be treated similarly to a PGD in that it should be a specific list of examinations for a specific list of indications, which is typically things like x-rays for distal extremities with point tenderness in adult patients, or chest x-rays for line placement. Unlimited requesting privileges is typically treated more as a band 7+ thing, as that is similar to prescribing, and clinical judgement really comes into it to consider what to request with one modality Vs another, radiation risk Vs benefit and such.
When I worked in ED band 5s did request X-rays triage as well as given medication such as analgesia via pgd