Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.19

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 420-5-7-.19 - Radiologic Services

(1) The hospital shall maintain, or have available, diagnostic radiologic services. If therapeutic services are also provided, they, as well as the diagnostic services, shall meet professionally approved standards for safety and personnel qualifications.

(2) Radiologic services. The hospital shall maintain, or have available, radiologic services according to needs of the patients.

(3) Safety for patients and personnel. The radiologic services, particularly ionizing radiology procedures, shall be free from hazards for patients and personnel.

(a) Proper safety precautions shall be maintained against radiation hazards. This includes adequate shielding for patients, personnel, and facilities, as well as appropriate storage, use, and disposal of radioactive materials.

(b) Periodic inspection of equipment shall be made and hazards identified must be promptly corrected.

(c) Radiation workers shall be checked periodically, by the use of exposure meters or badge tests, for amount of radiation exposure.

(d) Radiologic services shall be provided only on the order of practitioners with clinical privileges or other practitioners authorized by the medical staff and the governing body to order the services.

(4) Personnel.

(a) A qualified full-time, part-time, or consulting radiologist shall supervise the ionizing radiology services and shall interpret only those radiologic tests that are determined by the medical staff to require a radiologist's specialized knowledge. For purposes of this rule, a radiologist is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who is qualified by education and experience in radiology.

(b) Only personnel designated as qualified by the medical staff may use the radiologic equipment and administer procedures.

(5) Records. Records of radiologic services shall be maintained.

(a) The radiologist or other practitioner who performs radiology services shall sign reports of his or her interpretations.

(b) The hospital shall maintain the following for at least five years:

1. Copies of reports and printouts.

2. Films, scans, and other image records, as appropriate.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.19

Filed September 1, 1982. Amended: Filed May 20, 1992. Repealed and New Rule: Filed November 18, 1994; effective December 23, 1994. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 24, 2012; effective September 28, 2012.

Rule .12 was renumbered to .19 as per certification filed August 24, 2012; effective September 28, 2012.

Author: W.T. Geary, Jr., M.D., Carter Sims

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-21-20, et seq.