Radiography
If you need to be x-rayed there is a dedicated X-Ray Department within the Emergency Department. This x-ray suite has two examination rooms equipped with the latest digital and computed radiography systems as well as an OPG machine for taking specialised panoramic x-rays of the jaw. Digital imaging gives superb detail and instant images that are seen on the radiographer’s computer screen within a second of the exposure. These images can be stored permanently in the system and viewed by all the relevant doctors, radiographers and other healthcare professionals who will be caring for you during your visit to the ED and afterwards, if you need to come back. Requests for x-rays are made electronically thus eliminating the paper requests of previous years. The Image Networking System, introduced in 2008, is known as PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System).
The department due to the new technologies, is now film-less and without chemical processing and has become much more environmentally friendly.
Operating this state-of-the-art technology is a team of Specialised Diagnostic Radiographers. These radiographers have a professional degree in Diagnostic Imaging and post graduate qualifications in trauma radiography and interpretation of trauma images, up to Masters Degree level.
Trauma Radiographers operate a system of red-dotting whereby they highlight abnormal appearances, but they do not give official reports. The official reports are always done by a Radiologist, a doctor whose speciality is the interpretation of medical diagnostic images.
Pregnancy
If you think you might be pregnant, you must tell the radiographer before you are x-rayed. Being pregnant does not exclude the possibility of being x-rayed, if the x-ray is so necessary that the benefit outweighs the slight risk involved. Every time an x-ray is ordered and taken, the benefit will always outweigh the risk. However, unnecessary x-rays will not be taken and other forms of imaging that do not use radiation, such as Ultrasound or MRI scans may be used instead. In certain circumstances we may do a pregnancy test and wait for the result before doing the x-ray.
All radiographers apply certain principles that ensure the safe use of necessary medical diagnostic radiation, known as the ALARA principle (keeping the dose As Low As Reasonably Achievable). If you have any questions about your x-ray, the radiographers can answer them. For further information about x-rays from the Irish Medical Council website please click here.
This is a 24 hour imaging service, provided every day of the year. It extends to the main x-ray department where CT,Ultrasound and Nuclear Medicine bone scans are carried out.
A radiographer is always available for urgent x-rays.
>>Radiography