Download VETT 116: Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging 1 Week 1 Objectives

VETT 116: Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging 1
Week 1
Objectives:
 Familiarize yourself with your Course Website.
 Locate and review the Student Handbook that is posted in your course website
 Locate the Course Schedule that is a part of the Course Syllabus.
 Review the OSHA Safety guidelines in veterinary hospitals
 Become familiar with Radiation Hazards and Safety Precautions
 OSHA Exam
VETT 116 - Week 1, Part 1: OSHA Safety in the Veterinary Hospital
Reading Assignment: Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, p. 114-132.
Safety in any employment situation is a vital and important issue. Good and safe work habits are
critical for success in your job. While it is the responsibility of the owner of the clinic to provide
a safe environment, as well as proper protective equipment, it is your responsibility to learn and
follow safety rules and practices. This includes not only being familiar with the protective
equipment provided and where it is stored – but also actually using that equipment when it is
required.
Upon completion of the reading assignment, you should be able to answer the following
questions in order to prepare for your Week 1 Quiz.
1) OSHA is an abbreviation for what organization?
2) What is the purpose of safety and OSHA regulations within the veterinary hospital?
3) In regards to safety, what are your rights in the workplace?
4) To help maintain, a level of safety within the workplace, what are your responsibilities as
an employee?
5) What is the Occupational Safety and Health Act? What does it require you to do?
6) Within a veterinary hospital, how should you “dress appropriately for the job” in order to
reduce, prevent, or minimize injuries?
7) According to the National Fire Protection Association, when should you not attempt to
fight a fire? In the event of a fire, what should be your first step?
8) What is the purpose of a Hospital Safety Manual?
9) What are some of the common workplace hazards in the veterinary hospital?
10) What is OSHA’s “Right to Know” law?
11) What is a hazardous materials plan? Why is it important?
12) What is an MSDS? Why are they important? If you are currently working in a practice,
where are they found?
13) According to the McCurnin textbook, what are the steps that need to be taken to clean up
a chemical spill?
14) Why is hand washing so important in the veterinary hospital?
15) Why is it important to know what animal-related hazards exist in the clinic? What
hazards are considered to be “animal-related” hazards?
16) Define what is considered “medical waste”.
Top Ten OSHA Violations (as reported to AVMA PLIT)
1) Hazard Communication Plan.
2) Failure to inspect and maintain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
3) Fire and Emergency Plans.
4) Employee training guidelines, policies, and training documentation.
5) Missing, or incomplete, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
6) Appropriate PPE provided for employees.
7) Appropriately labeled chemical containers.
8) Human food in unsafe areas.
9) Waste anesthetic gas.
10) Improper disposal of medical waste
VETT 116 - Week 1, Part 2: Radiation Safety in the Veterinary Hospital
Reading Assignment: Radiation Safety handout located in the Week 1 Lesson Folder
Radiation safety is important as damaging x-rays are colorless, odorless, and painless – but most
of all the damaging effects are cumulative. While we have reviewed basic safety guidelines for
veterinary hospitals, we also need to take a closer look at Radiation Safety so that you are aware
of the risks and necessary precautions when working with and around radiography equipment.
Radiation Safety Checklist
1) Remove all unnecessary personnel from the radiographic suite during exposure.
2) Never permit anyone younger than 18 years of age, or someone that is pregnant, in the
radiographic suite during an exposure.
3) Rotate personnel who assist in radiographic procedures to minimize exposure.
4) Use mechanical restraints whenever possible (i.e. sandbags).
5) Use chemical restraints whenever possible (i.e. anesthetize or tranquilize).
6) Always wear protective apparel (PPE) designed to absorb secondary radiation.
7) Properly maintain, care for, and inspect PPE.
8) Never permit any part of the body in the primary beam – shielded or not.
9) Use collimation whenever possible to decrease field size and scatter radiation.
10) Do not aim the x-ray beam at an individual or at any personnel in the adjacent occupied
room.
11) Never hold the x-ray tube.
12) Wear film or dosimetry badges near the collar, outside the lead apron, to monitor
radiation exposure to the thyroid gland, face, and eyes.
13) Maintain darkroom chemicals in good operating condition.
14) Properly maintain the x-ray machine.
15) Adhere to the radiation safety codes for your state.
Once you have completed the reading assignment for Week 1, Part 2, please answer the
following questions. You are not required to submit this assignment to your course instructor,
however, you will be responsible for the information through quizzes, discussions, or exams.
1) Why is radiation harmful?
2) What specific precautions should be taken when working around ionizing radiation?
3) What personnel should not assist with radiographic procedures?
4) Why should care be taken when working around X-Ray developing chemicals?
5) In your state or province, what agency is responsible for the radiological safety of
the equipment in your practice?
6) What are the radiation safety codes for your state or province?
VETT 116 – Week 1, Part 3: Week 1 Quiz
The Week 1 Quiz will cover material presented during week 1 and is located with the Week 1
lessons of your course website. You may attempt the quiz only once. This quiz should be
completed by the Week 1 assignment due date.
Quizzes and Exams are only available for a limited amount of time. In this course, they are
not available all semester. Please make sure that you complete all Quizzes and Exams as
close to the due date as possible.
VETT 116 - Week 1: Checklist
This concludes Week 1 assignments for Diagnostic Imaging 1. Please make sure you have
completed all reading and written assignments. You may be asked this information again
through quizzes, discussions, or exams.
 Print and review your Course Guide/Syllabus that is located in the “Begin Your Course
Here” section of your course website.
 Locate the Course Schedule at the end of the Course Guide/Syllabus (this contains very
important weekly due dates.
 Complete the reading and written assignment for Week 1, Part 1.
 Complete the reading and written assignment for Week 1, Part 2.
 Complete the Week 1 Quiz that is located with the Week 1 Lessons in your course
website.
If you have any questions regarding any of the assignments or information presented during this
week, please contact your course instructor.