About the course

1. Background

Early studies in China suggested that chest CT may be a more reliable, practical, and rapid method to diagnose and assess COVID-19 compared to RT-PCR, especially in the epidemic era.In contrast, recent evidence supports that outside of China, where there is a low-prevalence of COVID-19 (1-22.9%), chest CT screening of patients with suspected disease had low positive predictive value (1.5-30.7%). Although chest CT is advised not to be used as a screening tool for detecting COVID 19, CT manifestations may associate with the prognosis of the infection.

In general, radiographers/radiological technologists must be prepared and equipped to perform CT examinations with caution during the pandemic and nowadays, when chest CT is indicated for the progression of the infectious disease.

The ISRRT is dedicated in protecting radiographers/radiological technologists who practice at the frontline of healthcare and has developed a COVID 19 Response Document incorporating the appropriate and safe use of Medical imaging and Radiation Therapy with infection control measures for every modality.

The measures,

• have been developed using the general guidelines from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
• are based on the “how”, “where” and “when” radiographers/radiological technologists should perform medical imaging and therapy procedures during the period of COVID 19
• should be applied accordingly by radiographers / radiological technologists in addition to standard radiation protection procedures

2. Acknowledgements

A special thanks is extended to the Panhellenic Society of Radiological Technologists, Greece, and its expert radiographer team for sharing their COVID 19 professional practice guidelines.

3. Structure

The module consists of the following topics

• Learning objectives, where “what” and “to what extent” is expected to be knowledgeable and applied by participants upon completion of the module is outlined
• CT webinar which is divided in 3 stages, consistent to day to day practice. The performance of the CT examination including the infection control considerations is explained step by step and with audiovisual means.
• CT checklist in 3 stages, providing an overview of the three stages of CT examination performance. (Extracted by the corresponding section of the ISRRT Response) Document
• CT Department General advice, describing the key safety precautions when performing CT examinations. (Adapted from the ISRRT Response Document)
• Useful links and bibliography, a list of resources, and further reading material.

Upon completion participants will undertake a short MCQ and True/False assessment before gaining a certificate of completion

We hope that this learning module will serve as a useful tool supporting radiographers / radiological technologists to perform CT examinations safely during the pandemic.