Coronavirus: Salford leads international effort to support radiographers

The project, which launched today, will create a free online information and support system, with a particular focus on training and advice for radiographers carrying out mobile chest X-rays of patients who have coronavirus.

Professor Peter Hogg, professor of radiography at the University of Salford (pictured) and Ken Holmes, senior lecturer at the University of Cumbria, led the project. 

They co-ordinated a multinational team of over 40 people, including radiographers and radiography leaders from the UK, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland, and the USA, who volunteered over a thousand hours of time and expertise between them. 

Peter explained: “As the coronavirus pandemic has spread, the demand for CT scans and mobile chest X-rays has increased, but not all radiographers are up to date with this technique. 

“Providing this online information and support resource means that tens of thousands of hours can be saved across the world in creating training materials and delivering training session and more time can therefore be spent on caring for patients. It also means we can standardise the advice given so everyone receives the same information on correct procedures, use of PPE etc. However, the website does carry a caveat, in that variations could exist between countries and readers are advised to check national and local policies where they exist.

“From conception to publication, the system was developed within 16 days – a fantastic achievement.”

Materials will cover topics including:

• Minimising risks through infection control, use of PPE and effective communication
• How to safely use mobile equipment, optimising images while ensuring patient and radiographer safety
• The radiographic procedure (including how to prepare for the procedure, carrying out the x-ray of the chest, what to do in post-examination)
• How to assess the images, interpret them and report on findings

The next phase of the work involves organising webinars about each aspect of the resource. The first of these has already been organised with over 600 attendees registered so far.

The project was developed in close partnership between the European Federation of Radiography Societies (EFRS) and International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists (ISRRT), with significant input from Italian Federation of Scientific Radiographers Societies (FASTeR), Society and College of Radiographers (UK) and e-Learning for Health (e-LfH, UK). 

The materials will be free of charge and can be accessed from Wednesday 22 April at www.isrrt.org