Oregon's Board of Medical Imaging has issued a temporary order that allows advanced practice registered nurses to obtain a permit to supervise fluoroscopy procedures without first passing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam, according to the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The order also "modifies the timing of the practitioner's required background check," the ACR said. It went into effect on March 24 and will extend through September 1. Petitioners for the permit must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the American Academy of Physician Assistants' (AAPA) Fluoroscopy Framework and passing the posttest.
- Complete the required clinical component of the Fluoroscopy Framework or being granted a board waiver for the clinical component.
- Complete a board approved, advance practice registered nurses device orientation checklist.
- Pass the ARRT fluoroscopy exam within three months of receiving the limited permit, unless the petitioner receives an extension from the board administrator for additional time.
Although the decision is an effort to increase the availability of medical imaging staff to meet a potential surge in fluoroscopy demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, it may not be a good one, according to the ACR.
"The board asserts the relaxed requirements for a limited permit to supervise fluoroscopy will increase the supply of medical imaging professionals to meet an anticipated spike in demand for fluoroscopy during the pandemic, but [it] does not appropriately address issues of quality or safety," the ACR said.
