John, an Interventional Radiologist in one of the leading local healthcare facilities, noted that the organization does not have a substantive radiation exposure policy. Fundamentally, the radiologist observed that the hospital does not have modern technologies to monitor the levels of radiation in the Interventional Radiology (IR) unit. Fundamentally, John frequently works from 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. and often is assigned extra shifts due to inadequate IR experts in the facility. Although the pay associated with the work is quite high, John feels that he needs to make conditions for both clients and the other two radiologists safer, especially concerning radiation exposure.
Interventional Radiology (IR) is a subspecialty in the medical world whereby doctors perform medical imaging, which is used to guide marginally invasive surgical procedures. These procedures are the basis for the diagnoses and treatments of many kinds of medical conditions. Despite the benefits of IR technology to healthcare, physicians working in IR divisions can be exposed to radiation. Principally, radiation should be as minimal as possible in conjunction with procuring the necessary equipment to monitor radiation levels within the IR department ( du Pisanie & Dixon, 2018 ). As the above scenario indicates, John has an ethical responsibility founded on the ANA Code of Ethics Provision 5.
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The above provision states that “The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence and continue personal and professional growth” ( American Nurses of Association, 2014 ). Cognizant of this fundamental principle that informs this provision, John asks the IR unit head if he can explore his concerns during the next meeting. John conducts thorough research on comprehensive staffing and available technologies for monitoring levels of radiation. He is confident that the management will take his concerns with the weightiness they deserve. John aims to lay a foundation for a safe work environment by having the number of IR experts increased, which gives the hospital's management a leeway for better staff rotation. Also, the radiologist aims to convince the hospital to invest in technology to check the unit's levels of radiation. If his efforts are successful, John will have fulfilled the requirements of provision 5 in the ANA Code of Ethics.
In conclusion, due to the high probability of being exposed to radiation in an IR department, radiologists must contribute to a safe working environment. John realized that he might be exposed to radiation to his tight working schedule and lack of radiation monitoring technology. He took it upon himself to ensure that there are enough radiologists for job rotation purposes and that the hospital invests in a radiation detection system. Through such action, John fulfilled provision 5 of the ANA Code of Ethics.
References
American Nurses of Association (2014). The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. American Nurses of Association. https://homecaremissouri.org/mahc/documents/CodeofEthicswInterpretiveStatements20141.pdf
du Pisanie, J. L., & Dixon, R. (2018). Building a culture of safety in interventional radiology. Techniques in vascular and interventional radiology , 21 (4), 198-204.
