Download Media Talking Points What is Rad Tech Week? Rad Tech Week is

Media Talking Points
What is Rad Tech Week?
Rad Tech Week is celebrated nationally to recognize radiologic
technologists and their impact on patient care. Radiologic technologists (commonly
called R.T.’s) produce highly technical images, which play an integral role in the medical
process and in the lives of millions of patients.
When is Rad Tech Week?
Rad Tech Week takes place each November to coincide with the discovery of the X-ray.
In 2014, National Radiologic Technology Week is Nov. 2-8, with X-ray Discovery Day on
Nov. 8.
What is the significance of X-ray Discovery Day?
X-ray Discovery Day marks the discovery of the X-ray on Nov. 8, 1895, by German
physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. Nearly 120 years later, the X-ray remains the most
frequently used form of medical imaging. The science behind the X-ray has provided the
basis for much of the imaging equipment used in health-care facilities today including
CT, ultrasound, mammography and nuclear medicine equipment.
What is an X-ray?
An X-ray (also known as a radiograph) is a painless medical test that helps physicians
diagnose medical conditions. Radiography involves exposing a part of the body to a
small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of inside the body. X-rays are the
oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.
How are X-rays used?
In medical imaging, X-rays are used to:
 Evaluate the lungs, heart and surrounding anatomy to diagnose conditions such
as pneumonia, heart failure, pleurisy and lung cancer
 Examine joints to diagnose ligament damage or meniscus, rotator cuff or
cartilage tears in the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee or ankle
 Diagnose osteoporosis
 View and assess broken bones, bone disease or infections, injured backbones or
cracked skulls
 Examine the kidneys, ureters and bladder
 View the lower GI tract to detect ulcers, benign tumors or polyps and cancer
 View the upper GI tract to detect ulcers, tumors or inflammation of the
esophagus, stomach and proximal small intestine
 Detect changes or abnormal growths in the breast
What benefits does imaging bring to patients?
Imaging allows patients to receive quicker and more accurate diagnoses through less
invasive means.
How does imaging help to reduce health-care costs?
Through imaging, patients undergo fewer exploratory and unnecessary surgeries, and
receive fewer inappropriate treatments. Imaging helps physicians pinpoint illness, injury
and disease so that it can be treated in the most efficient way possible, thereby reducing
multiple office visits, hospital stays, procedures and ultimately, costs.