Course Description
The noncombatant achievements of the United States Naval Service (USNS) hospital ships should be noted in history as one of the greatest peacetime achievements of this elite military branch. Since their development in the early 19th century to the present, USNS hospital ships have played an important role in the US military's response to the medical needs of its own personnel and those encountered during conflict and peacetime. From treating injuries and other medical concerns sustained in combat, to humanitarian/noncombatant ailments, these ships have provided a wide variety of support, and their peacetime accomplishments and contributions have earned them a notable place in the history of naval vessels. Offshore and aboard medical and diagnostic imaging support have been major fields of study and development, which continue to evolve to this day, and have contributed greatly to the success of hospital ships.

This course will focus on the history and evolution of medical imaging technologies onboard USNS hospital ships. It will detail how various military conflicts and related historic milestones helped to transition the life and function of many USNS hospital ships, what ships were in service, and the technological advancements and evolution of medical imaging equipment that was used on board. The earliest utilization of conventional X-ray, and eventually computed radiography and digital radiography, and their progression to present day will be detailed. The evolution of procedures, protocols, and required personnel training as these technologies evolved will also be discussed. The development and utilization of sonography, computed tomography, and picture and archiving systems (PACS) on board USNS hospital ships will also be outlined.

Learning Objectives

After reading this article, the participant should be able to:

• RESTATE the various USNS hospital ships that have served in times of conflict and disaster relief and their roles in each event.
• EXPLAIN the operational mission statement of United States Naval Services (USNS) hospital ships.
• OUTLINE the training that a US Navy corpsman specializing in medical radiography must complete.
• SUMMARIZE the history, evolution, and modern day development of USNS hospital ships and the radiological imaging modalities aboard.
• DESCRIBE the evolution of the first X-ray imaging units, digital and computed radiography techniques, sonography imaging units, and CT/MDCT imaging from inception on USNS hospital ships to the present day.
• EXPLAIN the role of picture and archiving systems (PACS) and teleradiology on a USNS hospital ship.

 

Categories: Radiology, digital radiography, computerized tomography (CT), ultrasound/sonography, picture and archiving communication systems (PACS), professional development/patient care quality.

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 15 out of 20 questions correctly to receive the 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 2.0 ARRT Category A credits.

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

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

Texas direct 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.