[slider id=”isrt2014″][/slider]Maritza Ambitz, Myesha Uker and Allisha Whiteshell, Diagnostic Radiography students in the Department of Radiologic Sciences, won first place for their research paper, “Frequency of Radiation Protection within Diagnostic Medical Imaging” in the research paper competition during the Idaho Society of Radiologic Technologists (ISRT) annual conference, held in Fort Hall, Idaho on April 4-5.
“Frequency of Radiation Protection within Diagnostic Medical Imaging” examined how patients from different demographics were shielded from radiation during diagnostic medical imaging procedures. The student research team found that “pediatric patients were shielded 63 percent of the time and adolescent patients were shielded 75 percent. Adults had a 21 percent shielding rate and elderly had zero. There was no significant difference in male versus female shielding collectively among age. Extremity examinations [such as arms and legs] were shielded the most, followed by chest and spine.”
In addition to the nine research papers that were submitted by Boise State students for the research paper competition, nine research poster presentations were submitted for the research exhibit competition at the conference. Kaitlyn Loveland, Brooke Newhouse, and Michelle Moon, students in the Diagnostic Radiography Program, won third place for their poster, titled “Cleanliness in High Traffic Medical Areas.” The research team swabbed medical clinics and examined the bacterial growth in the collections. They found that “patient waiting lobbies were the largest refuge for bacteria,” with significant bacteria growth on the door handles of restrooms and on drinking fountains.