What records must an MRT or facility maintain for radiologic procedures?

• A. Patient radiographs, exposure factors, dose records, consent where applicable, equipment maintenance and QA records, and documentation of adverse events.
• B. Only patient consent forms.
• C. Marketing materials and PR records.
• D. Personal schedules.

Answer: (A)

Record-keeping for radiologic procedures focuses on documenting the full trail of the exam to support patient safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. The records should include the actual patient radiographs and the exposure factors used (technique details like kVp, mA, exposure time, distance, and any technique adjustments), so the study can be reviewed for accuracy and reproducibility. Dose records are essential to track the radiation dose delivered to each patient, helping to apply ALARA principles and enable dose auditing over time. Consent documentation, when applicable, records that the patient was informed about the procedure and its risks. Equipment maintenance and QA records show that imaging devices are regularly inspected, calibrated, and functioning correctly, which underpins safe operation. Finally, documentation of adverse events or near-misses provides a record for investigation and corrective action to prevent recurrence. Other items like marketing materials or personal schedules aren’t part of the required clinical documentation and don’t contribute to safety, quality, or regulatory oversight.