Quality Bone Densitometry: Performance, Interpretation, and Clinical Application for Technologists

An Osteoporosis Essentials Course of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry & International Osteoporosis Foundation

The core elements of this program focus on performing quality DXA scans, dissecting the data and applying this knowledge to a technologist’s role in patient care. This course, which focuses on quality DXA, is innovative, interactive and informative. The course emphasizes technical excellence in the performance, analysis, and troubleshooting of bone densitometry scans. The course will provide standard practices and applications to raise the quality of DXA scan procedures and their impact on patient care. This is achieved by enhancing awareness of the technical expertise involved in performing bone densitometry and applying protocols to address everyday challenges. The course focuses on the considerable impact that a technologist plays in the delivery of quality DXA, and how that influences patient management.

Prerequisite and Optional videos are included in the registration fees. Access to that content will be made available to registered participants 30 days prior to the course start date through the ISCD online education portal.

Target Audience: The course is most appropriate for those involved in the performance of DXA scans and open to any health professional performing these scans.

Course Schedule: (All Times Listed in US Eastern Time)

Pre-requisites

• • Video A – Overview of Osteoporosis
  • Video B – Fundamentals of Bone Densitometry, Physics, Radiation Safety, and Quality Assurance
  • Optional Video C – What US Healthcare Providers Need to Know about DXA for Patient Care

Day 1: The Importance of the Technologist in patient care and quality performance of DXA Scans

Day 1 Objectives: After attending the course, participants should be better prepared to:

• Design and implement quality control and assurance practices
• Perform a precision assessment and appreciate the requirement for clinical care
• Identify the anatomy relevant to clinical DXA scanning
• Implement consistent and appropriate technical acquisition and analysis techniques
• Perform a fracture risk assessment using FRAX

Day 1 Schedule (All Times Listed in US Eastern Time)

Day 2: The Importance of Understanding and Applying the Science and Language of Densitometry

Day 2 Objectives: After attending the course, participants should be better prepared to:

• Provide DXA interpreters sufficient information for a high-quality DXA report
• Understand how specific medical conditions and medications affect bone density
• Demonstrate how to access features within the DXA software
• Critically evaluate DXA scans to identify acquisition and analysis errors and implement resolution methods
• Recognize how technical errors impact clinical interpretation and patient care

Day 2 Schedule (All Times Listed in US Eastern Time)

Course Continuing Education Credits:

This activity is approved by ASRT for 11.50 Category A continuing education credits. Partial credit will not be given for either day. This activity can be used toward the RT Structured Education and CQR requirements for the ARRT.

Course Registration Fees