Bone densitometry is a critical component in the diagnosis, prevention, and management of osteoporosis—an increasingly prevalent condition affecting an estimated 44 million Americans annually. With the growing demand for accurate diagnosis and Medicare reimbursement for bone densitometry procedures, there is heightened focus on the qualifications and training of the personnel performing these scans.
This live webinar delivers a comprehensive training program that goes beyond the basics to equip healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to perform bone densitometry. Whether you're new to the field or seeking to deepen your expertise, this course ensures you meet and exceed current training requirements.
Developed by an ARRT-registered and ISCD-certified densitometrist, the curriculum aligns with both the International Society of Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) and ARRT content specifications for bone densitometry certification.
Who Should Attend:
This course is ideal for radiologic technologists, women’s health professionals, and other healthcare providers who are currently performing or planning to perform bone densitometry in clinical or imaging settings.
Course Topics Include:
Osteoporosis Risk Factors
Indications for Bone Densitometry
Methods of Measuring Bone Mass
Anatomy & Central Densitometry
Principles of Densitometry
Quality Assurance & Calibration of DXA Systems
Site & Patient Preparation
Patient Positioning Techniques
Performing DXA Scans
DXA Scan Analysis
Troubleshooting Common Scan Issues
If you are looking for an in-person training option, please click here and select from our Live Event offerings.
**Healthcare professionals who are not registered radiologic technologists should also register for the "Practical Radiation Safety for DEXA Operators" course in order to meet the radiation safety requirements for the Texas Department of State Health Services. For added convenience, the 4-hour "Practical Radiation Safety for DEXA Operators" course is offered on the day immediately prior to the 16 hour "Bone Densitometry: Principles and Procedures".
**This live, instructor-directed course meets the Texas Medical Board requirements for all registered Medical Radiologic Technologists. Please refer to the TMB website for more information at this LINK
*We are located in Houston, Texas, and all webinars are hosted in Central Time. You will receive the webinar link via email from Zoom one day before your class, as well as one hour before it begins.
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Course Outline
Day One
Osteoporosis Risk Factors & Patient Care
Types of osteoporosis (primary, secondary)
Osteoporosis in males: risk factors and diagnostic criteria
Indications for Densitometry
Overview of relevant legislation
Primary and secondary osteoporosis
Bone measurement sites: cortical and trabecular bone
Methods of Measuring Bone Mass & Image Production
Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT): bone types, patient positioning, phantoms, printout components
Ultrasound measurements: broadband attenuation, speed of sound, stiffness index
Photon and X-ray measurement devices
Radiographic Absorptiometry (RA) equipment and controls
Anatomy & Central Densitometry Procedures
Overview of axial and appendicular skeleton
Lumbar spine anatomy, curvature, vertebral numbering, abnormalities
Proximal femur anatomy and abnormalities
Principles of Densitometry & Image Production
Dual beam production and DXA mechanics: system components, sources, detectors
Beam types: pencil-beam and fan-beam
Quality Assurance and Calibration
Calibration phantoms and printout components
Establishing QA baseline and quality control parameters
Site Preparation and Precision Studies
Short-term and long-term precision studies
Accuracy and operator/manufacturer precision
Utilizing precision data to calculate bone mineral density (BMD) changes
Patient Preparation
Attire and factors affecting measurement (nuclear medicine, contrast studies, bone changes)
Patient Positioning Procedures
Positioning landmarks: lumbar spine, proximal and dual femur, forearm
Positioning devices and challenges (e.g., thin or kyphotic patients)
Performing DXA Scans
Patient data entry and reference data selection
Basic software components (DOS and Windows formats)
Analysis of DXA Scans
Anatomical criteria and region of interest placement
Types of bone measured and image artifact identification
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Identify key osteoporosis risk factors
Define bone densitometry and describe its principles
List methods for measuring bone mass
Explain why certain bones are preferred for measurement
Discuss quality assurance processes and documentation
Outline patient preparation requirements
Describe patient positioning techniques for densitometry scans
Analyze and interpret DXA scan data effectively
Category | Hours | Revision Year(s) |
---|---|---|
Bone Density > Image Production > Equipment Operation and Quality Control | 6.0 | 2016, 2022 |
Bone Density > Patient Care > Patient Bone Health, Care, and Radiation Principles | 4.0 | 2016, 2022 |
Bone Density > Procedures > DXA Scanning | 6.0 | 2016, 2022 |
Tags: Bone Densitometry CE, Structured Education, Bone Density, DEXA