2093 CV Techniques
An evaluative study was carried out by Chalmers et al. in 2002 to assess three experienced nurses and radiographers performing angiographic procedures. They were provided training by a radiologist and were then instructed to perform either peripheral or renal angiograms by inserting a 3F catheter into the abdominal aorta from a femoral approach. Out of the total procedures performed, only 15 cases required the assistance of the radiologist. All the cases were reported as diagnostic by the radiologist except for one patient who was recalled for further investigations. All cases presented no delayed complications and the authors concluded that with proper training and supervision by the radiologist, experienced radiographers and nurses can obtain
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(2003). This was measured by comparing the number of complications associated with the procedures performed by the RA to that of 18 radiologists, physicians and IR fellows. The study was conducted over a period of one year at one university hospital. A total of 2093 CVA procedures were performed, of which 670 of them were performed by the RA. The results showed that the RA had a 0.29% major complication rate and a 0.89% overall complication rate. The results were not statistically different from the complication rates of radiologists and physicians (major = 0%; overall = 1.71%) and IR fellows (major = 0.35%; overall = 1.06%). The authors concluded that a properly trained and monitored RA can safely perform selected CVA procedures with complication rates equal to those of the radiologists, physicians and IR fellows. Although the results did not have a significant difference, the study represents the only available literature rigorously analysing the procedural safety of minimally invasive procedures performed by RAs. In addition, the study also lacked the statistics as to how the trained radiographers faired in carrying out subsequent successful procedures to affirm the true benefit of the programme or as to how readily the doctors in the hospital accepted radiographers carrying out their procedures, one of the main obstacles faced in implementing radiographer role
(2003). This was measured by comparing the number of complications associated with the procedures performed by the RA to that of 18 radiologists, physicians and IR fellows. The study was conducted over a period of one year at one university hospital. A total of 2093 CVA procedures were performed, of which 670 of them were performed by the RA. The results showed that the RA had a 0.29% major complication rate and a 0.89% overall complication rate. The results were not statistically different from the complication rates of radiologists and physicians (major = 0%; overall = 1.71%) and IR fellows (major = 0.35%; overall = 1.06%). The authors concluded that a properly trained and monitored RA can safely perform selected CVA procedures with complication rates equal to those of the radiologists, physicians and IR fellows. Although the results did not have a significant difference, the study represents the only available literature rigorously analysing the procedural safety of minimally invasive procedures performed by RAs. In addition, the study also lacked the statistics as to how the trained radiographers faired in carrying out subsequent successful procedures to affirm the true benefit of the programme or as to how readily the doctors in the hospital accepted radiographers carrying out their procedures, one of the main obstacles faced in implementing radiographer role