Radiologic groups help block Oregon legislation allowing nurses to perform imaging procedures

Matt O'Connor | | Health Imaging | Policy & Regulations

The Oregon legislature denied an amendment on Feb. 23 to Senate Bill 1549-A that would have let nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists perform and supervise medical imaging procedures, according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

Receiving opposition from the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists (OSRT) and its members, the House Committee on Health Care decided it wouldn’t hear the amendment. A total of 60 radiologic technologists sent statements to the committee speaking out against the measure.

Both the ASRT and ORST told legislators that only radiologic technologists are qualified to perform procedures using ionizing radiation. The groups argued advanced practice nurses lack the education, experience or skills required to perform highly technical procedures like conventional radiography and fluoroscopy, CT, MRI or nuclear medicine.

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Matt O'Connor

Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.

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