The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Foundation and Canon Medical Systems have awarded their 2019 Safety First grants to St. Joseph Warren Hospital of Youngstown, OH, and Gunnison Valley Health of Gunnison, CO.
Each year, the Safety First program awards two ASRT members a grant of up to $7,000 each to improve radiologic technologist safety in their departments.
Katherine Miskovich of St. Joseph Warren Hospital will use the funds to purchase a ceiling lift that will enable technologists to easily move patients from floor-level surfaces to a chair or treatment table, reducing potential back strain and subsequent injuries as well as improving the comfort and efficiency of transfers for patients, according to the ASRT.
Meanwhile, Carlton Bruce of Gunnison Valley Health will use the grant to purchase a HoverMatt air transfer system. The patient handling device, which uses air mattress technology to protect the integrity of the patient's injury and reduce shoulder and back stress on the technologist, will be used to enhance safety in the lateral transfer of critically injured patients for imaging procedures, according to the ASRT.
In addition, the staff at both institutions will also receive the ASRT's "Safety Essentials: The Series" online educational offering, the society said.
