Attard Stephanie, Couto Jose G, MacKay Stuart, Zarb Francis
Radiotherapy Department, Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Center, Msida, Malta.
Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2017 Mar;48(1):30-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2016.08.006. Epub 2016 Oct 11.
To evaluate the perception and 5-year application of anatomic side markers (ASMs) by radiographers in Malta.
Phase 1 involved a longitudinal, retrospective observation of a stratified sample of radiographs over 5 years, using a self-designed data record sheet to record features of the placement of ASMs. Phase 2 consisted of a cross-sectional, prospective self-designed questionnaire evaluating the radiographers' perception on the use of ASMs in professional practice.
In phase 1, radiographs (n = 500) were selected from 234,105 taken over the 5-year period (error: ±4.38%; 95% confidence level). Four hundred thirty radiographs (86%) had evidence of markers, of which 110 (25.6%) had a pre-exposure marker and 320 (74.4%) had a postprocessed marker. The remaining 14% had no evidence of any markers. Two hundred eighty two (56.4%) of the radiographs had ASMs placed according to recommended guidelines by Ballinger, Frank, and Merrill. In phase 2, most radiographers (84.6%) preferred using postprocessing markers, with 15.4% preferring pre-exposure markers (76.6% of radiographers found applying pre-exposure markers time consuming). Sixty percent (60.5%) of radiographers gave correct answers on use of markers as recommended in the guidelines.
Radiographer preference in using postprocessing markers was evident, while the use of pre-exposure markers was seen to be influenced by time of examination, projection executed, and patient positioning. Radiographer awareness and continuous training are recommended.
评估马耳他放射技师对解剖学侧方标记（ASMs）的认知及5年应用情况。
第一阶段对分层抽样的X线片进行了为期5年的纵向回顾性观察，使用自行设计的数据记录表记录ASMs放置的特征。第二阶段包括一项横断面、前瞻性的自行设计问卷，评估放射技师在专业实践中对ASMs使用的认知。
在第一阶段，从5年期间拍摄的234,105张X线片中选取了500张（误差：±4.38%；95%置信水平）。430张X线片（86%）有标记证据，其中110张（25.6%）有曝光前标记，320张（74.4%）有后处理标记。其余14%没有任何标记的证据。282张（56.4%）X线片的ASMs放置符合Ballinger、Frank和Merrill推荐的指南。在第二阶段，大多数放射技师（84.6%）更喜欢使用后处理标记，15.4%更喜欢曝光前标记（76.6%的放射技师认为应用曝光前标记耗时）。60.5%的放射技师对指南中推荐的标记使用给出了正确答案。
放射技师明显更倾向于使用后处理标记，而曝光前标记的使用似乎受检查时间、执行的投照和患者体位的影响。建议提高放射技师的认知并持续进行培训。
