ASRT issues cautionary note on full-body CT

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists of Albuquerque, NM, this week adopted a resolution at its annual meeting urging Americans to weigh the benefits and risks before undergoing a full-body CT screening exam.

"The ASRT recommends caution regarding the use of full-body CT screening for healthy clients with no symptoms or risk factors," the statement reads. "The performance of condition-specific CT screening should be based on clinical evidence and endorsed by experts in radiation safety and radiologic diagnosis. Further information is needed to evaluate the efficacy, benefits, and risks of full-body CT screening."

With the statement, the ASRT joins the American College of Radiology (ACR) of Reston, VA, in cautioning patients about the use of full-body CT as a screening technique.

The ASRT also adopted seven other resolutions, including:

• A recommendation that radiologic technologists not be required to supervise or educate unlicensed or uncertified individuals in the delivery of medical imaging or radiation therapy, unless they are enrolled in a program accredited by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
• A statement that the performance of dynamic and static fluoroscopy is within the scope of practice for RTs. A similar statement was issued for bone densitometry.
• A recommendation that pregnant RTs not enter MRI magnet rooms while scanning is in process.
• A statement against the multiloading of film cassettes to produce a copy of a radiograph, due to concerns about image quality and increased patient exposure.