Important Information

Important Legislative Changes That May Affect You!
Texas State Health Services changes effective May 1, 2013 to the Texas Administrative Code 289.277 require physicians, other than radiologists and radiation oncologists, and individuals to whom a physician has delegated authority to complete a minimum of 8 hours.

The new Texas State Health Services requirements of 25 TAC 289.277 effective May 1, 2013, designate that all registrants of medical fluoroscopic radiation equipment are responsible for directing the operation of the fluoroscopic radiation machines under the administrative control of the registrant and will be accountable during state inspections for assuring physicians and individuals to whom the physician has delegated authority have documented Radiation Safety Awareness Training as specified in the new code. Registrants are also responsible for establishing a Radiation Protocol Committee and written protocols as defined in the new code. The use of fluoroscopic equipment for interventional purposes is effectively restricted to Radiologists, Radiation Oncologists and Physicians who have completed the Radiation Safety Awareness Training of a minimum of 8 hours of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education Units (CMEU) prior to performing FGI procedures and 1 hour machine training with the designated equipment.

Definition of Fluoroscopically-Guided Interventional (FGI) Procedures: An interventional diagnostic or therapeutic procedure performed via percutaneous or other access routes, usually with local anesthesia or intravenous sedation, which uses external ionizing radiation in the form of fluoroscopy to localize or characterize a lesion, diagnostic site, or treatment site, to monitor the procedure and control and document therapy.

Q & A from TAC 289.227(m)(9)(E)(i): Are registered nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical radiologic technologist that perform interventional procedures under the supervision of a physician required to complete the 8 hours continuing medical education radiation safety awareness and the 1 hour fluoroscopic machine training?

Physician assistants and registered nurses will be required to complete the 8 hours of Category 1 continuing medical education radiation safety awareness training and the 1 hour fluoroscopic machine training. An individual who is registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists has completed extensive radiation safety training that meets the requirement in 289.227(m)(9)(E)(i). A medical radiologic technologist who has passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists registry and holds a certified medical radiologic technologist license with the Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Program is not required to complete radiation safety awareness training.

CT: TAC part 289.277 also includes the need for establishing CT protocols and establishing a method to record radiation output to estimate skin dose in accordance with the established protocols.

To learn more about the Texas Rules visit the TAC part 289.277 at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/radiation/rules.shtm

CALIFORNIA

Fluoroscopy Law: California Health and Safety Code (H&SC) designates who is authorized to operate fluoroscopy equipment on human beings in California. Except for stated exemptions (section 106975 of H&SC), only persons who possess proper, valid, and up-to-date Supervisor and Operator Radiology certificates, Supervisor and Operator Fluoroscopy permits, or Technologists Fluoroscopy permits issued by the State are authorized to expose human beings to X-rays in fluoroscopy mode for diagnostic purposes. California requires adequate instruction and proof of competency in the form of a state exam. H&SC Section 107075 states that any person who violates, aids, or abets the violation of any of the provisions of the law or regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor.

CT Law: As of July 1, 2012, California facilities are required to record dose from every CT study performed. This is the first CT dose reporting law in the U.S. It was signed into law back in 2010. The dose must be reported on the patient report and with the images in PACS, and it must be reported if any dose exceeds the law’s criteria.

To read more about the California law visit section 115111 at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_1201-1250/sb_1237_bill_20100929_chaptered.html

What AHEC Can Do For You:

Radiation Safety Awareness Training: taught by a licensed Medical Physicist
8 Hour Course Radiation Safety Awareness Training Documentation
1 Hour Course

** Required in addition to the 8-hour Category 1 CMEU ACCME Category 1 CME
Record Retention for all attendee’s
Call us now at 713-772-0157 or 1-800-239-1361

Faculty Teach From Knowledge and Experience.
The instructional staff is simply the best in the business. They are the nation's leaders and educators with current, clinically-relevant experience and a wealth of information to share. You will find their eagerness to share their experience and knowledge is unmatched and they will answer your follow-up questions.

Why Do Physicians & Imaging Professionals Choose AHEC for CME?
What You Can Expect From Us?
At Advanced Health Education Center, we take your imaging education seriously. Advancing imaging technology, legal requirements and accreditation commitments demand that you training and skills are current.

You can't entrust your continuing education to just anyone. That is why we make it our commitment to you to engage the nation's leading educators in the medical imaging profession. Their clinically-relevant experience is best suited for combining the practical with theory.

Your training with AHEC is based on sound experience with a finger on the pulse of the future.

We Teach What You Want To Learn.
Our goal is to provide the most innovative and most in demand coursework that will help you be successful.

While we maintain our very popular curriculum such as Emergency Department Ultrasound, Stat Care Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians, and Specialty Procedures in Ultrasound, we are constantly aware of the changing needs and concerns of our clients.

Limited OB Ultrasound and Venous Reflux Testing Ultrasound are two new courses developed because you asked for them.

The highly anticipated new Sports Medicine Ultrasound course will be coming soon.

Advanced Health Education Center wants to be the only education center you think of for your continuing education needs.

Registry Review Courses.
Our comprehensive registry review workshops will assist you in achieving success on your advanced-level examinations and prepare you for upward mobility. Sooth your exam jitters by enrolling in the registry review course in CT, MRI, Mammo, QM, Bone Density, Vascular Interventional, or the entry-level ARRT.

We also work with facilities in achieving positive accreditation results.

AHEC Medical Accrediation.
AHEC is accredited to provide AMA PRA Category 1 credit for physicians. Additional approvals through ACEP, AAFP, and ACOG give another level of approval for physicians who require special recognition.

AHEC is approved to provide courses to radiologic professionals through the ASRT, SDMS, AHRA and multiple states requiring special approval.

Did You Know We Make House Calls?
All You Have To Do Is Tell Us.

Who: Which modality consultant or training expert.
What: Levels of service you anticipate.
When: Your timeframe for consultation.
Where: Your place or ours

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