Simple hand signals can improve communication during CT

Two Australian radiologists have developed a series of hand signals to improve communication between radiologists and radiographers during CT-guided and angiographic procedures.

Authors Edward H. Wang, MBBS, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, and Matthew J. Sampson, MBBS, Benson Radiology, North Adelaide, South Australia, shared their full list of signals in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, explaining why radiologist-radiographer communication is so crucial.

“A good working relationship between radiologists and radiographers is important in order to ensure patient safety is maintained and that a high-quality radiology service is provided,” Wang and Sampson wrote. “Good communication between radiologists and radiographers allows for a smoother workflow; poor communication, on the other hand, leaves a bad impression on patients. Studies have shown that most radiographers believe increasing the quality and quantity of inter-professional communication improves patient care and job satisfaction, and that poor inter-professional communication causes occupational stress.”

The authors developed hand signals that cover emergency situations and various requests radiologists may have for radiographers who are sitting behind thick, radiation-shielding glass.

“As shielding renders verbal communication impossible, we have developed a set of standardised hand signals for use at our department to help us achieve clear and efficient communication between radiologists and radiographers while performing CT-guided or angiographic procedures,” Wang and Sampson wrote. “These hand signals are inspired by those used by scuba divers to communicate underwater without the use of voice communication equipment.”

One of the signals--the “OK” sign, made with the thumb and index finger, the other three fingers extended--is universal, and the others are explained with both text and pictures.

Click here for the full explanation.

“These signals are useful and easy to learn,” Wang and Sampson wrote. “They can be adopted or modified by other institutions to help improve inter-professional communication leading to better patient care.”

The authors added that they searched at length for literature discussing the topic of hand signals used in a medical capacity, but could not find anything relevant.