Course Description
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons and can include sprains, strains, and tears, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and hernias. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) occur as a result of workers lifting heavy items, bending, reaching, working in awkward body postures, and performing repetitive tasks. These actions are common among radiologic technologists (RTs), sonographers, and other medical imaging professionals; therefore, there is typically a high rate of occurrence of WRMSDs among these workers. The most common sites of WRMSDs for RTs are the lower back, shoulders, and neck; in sonographers, the wrist and hand are also commonly affected. To help prevent WRMSDs, it is important for workers and their employers to employ proper ergonomic principles to fit the job to the person and minimize the risk of these injuries. Ergonomics is the study of matching job requirements and environment to the worker to maximize efficiency, quality, and quantity of work while minimizing WRMSDs, fatigue, and overexertion. WRMSDs are one of the leading causes of lost workdays due to injury and illness. These can be costly for the employee and the employer; however, the cost is not just economical. WRMSDs can affect a person's quality of life and mental health as well. For medical imaging professionals, using proper body mechanics when lifting and positioning patients, taking breaks whenever possible, stretching, and exercising can help heal current WRMSDs and prevent future occurrences. This continuing education (CE) course will explain the science of ergonomics and its importance to RTs and medical imaging professionals, common injuries that RTs of many modalities sustain, and ways to prevent these injuries. The ways in which technological advances are impacting the way workers can prevent WRMSDs will also be examined.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• EXPLAIN the concept of ergonomics and why it is important for medical imaging professionals.
• IDENTIFY common injuries among medical imaging professionals, including back, shoulder, and wrist injuries.
• OUTLINE ways to minimize and prevent injuries among medical imaging professionals including implementing exercise and stretching techniques.

Category: Professional Development/Patient Care Quality & Technology

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 8 out of 10 questions correctly to receive CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 1.0 ARRT Category A credit.

This program is approved by AHRA, a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM), approved by the ARRT to grant Category A CE credit.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit (for Technical credit). 

Texas indirect credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.