Cover It Up!

February 4, 2011
by Shannon Peron, RDCS, RVT

Well, another question. So, of course, another post.

I would imagine this is on the mind of many of our newbie male techs:

Do male techs have problems with women refusing to let them scan?

My answer in a nutshell is:    It can and will happen. Not often, but yes.

Now this is a question I will also have to put out to any other male tech who would like to answer. Since I am female I don’t encounter this problem. The male techs I supervise seem to not have a big problem with this. Then again, I am usually around if it comes up.

A bit of advice I would give to anyone dealing with all patients (not just female) where you would have to enter “Nether Regions” would be:

  • Give a thorough explanation of the procedure. Specifying areas you will be scanning will eliminate surprises. If they say “My calf is the problem” Your response can be something like “Our protocol states we must scan the entire leg starting at the lower pelvis/groin”.
  • Only uncover as much as you need to scan. When I have to scan a leg I prefer to tell thepatient to undress from the waist down, leaving on the under garments, and drape the gown across their lap once they are on the table. For some reason not having to wear the gown entirely makes them feel better.
  • If you scan only one leg, keep the other leg covered completely, including the sock. Once again, it makes them feel more comfortable.
  • Please, Please, Please close the door or pull the curtain. This should be a given, but I know it doesn’t always happen.
  • Ask your coworkers not to walk in on an exam. This should be a general rule for all patients. Just because they work there does not give you them the right to invade that patients privacy.

These things will not appease all patients. Don’t be surprised and don’t take it personal if you run into a patient who will outright refuse. It may be a religious belief. The most you can do in those situations where female techs aren’t available is to perhaps offer to have a female in the room as a chaperone (if possible).

Hope this will help.

Happy Scanning!!!

Shannon

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002048058467 Tiffanny Montcrieff

    It can be a huge issue for male techs. I know of an instance at a internationally recognized cancer hospital in Texas where there were 2 male techs and 2 female techs. One of the guys couldn’t keep his hands to himself and ended up being reported and fired but the one that really paid the price was the male tech that stayed behind and had nothing to do with what the other guy was doing. To make it short, after this incident ( the 3rd one we latter found out) new policies where put in place where a MALE tech could NOT scan a female patient w/o having another FEMALE in the room, at first it was OK to ask a nurse or secretary but soon, they all where complaining about falling behind in their work because they had to “baby sit” this poor tech so rules where revised and it was made where it had to be a FEMALE RELATIVE of the patient, no a friend, companion etc. Needles to say, he basically could not do any female patients even do, about 70% of patient’s where female. The female techs where complaining because they where actually scanning way more that this guy who was relegated to do paper work, stock the rooms, filling chart etc. He was a careful and respectful tech always making sure the door to his room was left open a little w/o actually exposing the patient, if a female patient got out of hand, he would stop the scan and ask someone to assist (before the rules), never did a pedi patient w/o someone else in the room, etc. The other tech? he went on to get fired again from the university of Louisiana!

  • R Gene13

    I am a male ultrasound tech and have been doing ultrasound for 18 years and only once did a female patient ask me not to do her exam – I told her that I was the only tech working at the time and she could come back another time – and after a little persuading that I was very professional, she agreed to go ahead with the breast sonogram.  After the exam she commended me for my professionalism and I take pride in that.

  • Scott

    I have been vascular scanning for nearly three years. One time a patient, due to religious and culture reasons, insisted a female scan her. By calmly explaining to the patient that I am the only one here, we agreed to allow her daughter to come in the room. The daughter was very helpful, i.e. helping me clean her leg of gel or putting a towel where I needed it. She also helped since she spoke a language that we didn’t have a translator for. Most patients are understanding, in that we are just trying to help them if you explain it to them. Not sure how it is for OB or Echo.

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