Elderly patient care in the Imaging Department.

Abstract

Due to an increase in the elderly population, the radiographer must have a good knowledge about the elderly patient to give the best possible patient care. The radiographer must be aware of the psychological and physiological effects of aging so that he/she can meet the social, physical and psychological needs of the elderly patient. The radiographer must also understand the concept of pathological processes and how they affect the elderly patient in order to minimize strain or possible injuries. The main objective of this study is that different radiographic techniques can be used by local radiographers to improve the quality of patient care that is given to the elderly patient at the imaging department in St. Luke's Hospital. Another important role is that the radiographer must take good quality radiographs without repeats. Therefore good education plays an important role to help radiographers and student radiographers to achieve the best quality service to the patient. Staff re-training can also be given to those radiographers that are already graduated to improve their education to increase their knowledge and awareness about the relationship between them and the elderly patient. Also the building environment of the department must be planned and equipped with special equipment to satisfy the needs of the elderly patient.