The American Society of Radiologic Technologists testified to Congress this week in support of federal efforts to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. The ASRT sided in favor of recommendations by the Institute of Medicine that Congress establish a Center of Patient Safety. The society also advocated that the nation's medical providers set a goal of reducing medical errors by 50% over the next five years.
The ASRT submitted its written testimony to the Senate Health, Education and Pensions Committee, the House health subcommittee, and the House health and environment subcommittee. Each body is investigating an IOM report estimating that medical errors claim between 44,000 and 98,000 lives in the U.S. a year. The IOM report, "To Err is Human," recognizes that diagnostic errors can impede patient recovery.
In its testimony, the society questioned why personnel who perform mammograms are regulated by the U.S. government, while those who perform x-ray, MRI and CT exams are not. ASRT endorses and is pursuing the establishment of federal minimum educational and credentialing standards for those who produce medical images and deliver radiation therapy.
If only 0.5% of the average 300 million radiologic examinations performed in U.S. each year were done improperly, more than 4,000 defective medical images would be generated daily, according to the society. ASRT's testimony estimated that thousands of unqualified people perform these examinations and deliver radiation therapy because 15 states have no licensure laws for the profession, while other states have substandard requirements or suffer from lax enforcement. ASRT was established in 1920, and represents 82,000 registered radiologic technologists.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersFebruary 17, 2000
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