Jennifer Holmes, M.S., R.T.(R)(CT), recently received a Safety FiRsT grant to implement an initiative that will elevate patient and technologist safety in the workplace. Funded by Canon Medical Systems USA Inc. and administered by the ASRT Foundation, the Safety FiRsT program awards two ASRT members per year a grant of up to $7,000 each to improve radiologic technologist safety in their departments.
Holmes applied on behalf of Baxter Regional Medical Center of Mountain Home, Arkansas. The grant will be used to purchase a Hovermatt lateral transfer airbed systems. These patient handling devices provide enhanced safety in the lateral transfer of patients for imaging procedures. The system uses air mattress technology to protect the integrity of the patient’s injury while reducing shoulder and back stress on the technologist.
“Most of our patients are lateral transfers from a stretcher to a radiology exam table,” Holmes said. “These types of systems help patients feel safer and experience less pain during transfer. It also protects employees in situations where a proper patient transfer cannot be carried out due to lower staffing, specifically during third shift.”
The ASRT Foundation and Canon Medical Safety FiRsT grants are funded by a grant from Canon Medical.
The ASRT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the world’s largest radiologic science association. The ASRT Foundation supports and empowers medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals and students to pursue opportunities that improve patient care.