This All Hallows Eve, the rattling of skeletons couldn't compare with excitement earlier in the month in Brookhaven College's Radiologic Sciences Department. On Oct. 15, the news arrived that a new book was available written by Christi Carter, MSRS, RT(R), faculty director. Co-authored by Beth Veale, BSRS, MEd, RT(R)(QM), associate professor, Radiologic Sciences Department, Midwestern State University, Texas, Christi said the book's big day was the culmination of almost two years of writing.
“I was asked to write about digital radiography, picture archiving and communication systems when I was approached by a senior editor of Esevier, Inc. in the summer of 2005. ” Elsevier, Inc. is a leading publisher of health science books and journals with worldwide headquarters in Philadelphia. “I recruited my former professor from college, Beth Veale, and they flew us up to Elsevier's St. Louis office to talk about the project, ” said Christi.
“I agreed that a need for such a book existed, because I was teaching without a text book in my classes and knew that others in the field were, too. ” The book can be used by radiologic technologists in the field and by students. It is currently the only book published in the nation written for the entry-level professionals and students.
Carter's interest in rad tech began one day after bombing a calculus test the semester she also was taking applied chemistry and visiting her grandfather in the hospital every day, she said. “I was just scanning the MSU catalog for a new major and was influenced by the atmosphere of the hospital where my grandfather had several heart catheterizations; I saw rad tech and thought “I can do that!” Christi graduated from MSU with an Associate of Applied Science degree in 1996, a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences in 1997 and her master’s degree in the same in 2000.
“I do believe it was a calling for me to be in rad tech; I am here for a reason and believe my studies and this book are making a difference in the world. ” Carter and Veale met the writing deadlines to Elsevier over the same 18 months that Carter's home burned down, she oversaw the graduation of three classes, hired three faculty members, conducted a self-study for accreditation, served a semester as interim dean and taught full time.
The book is described as practical and comprehensive and offers up-to-date coverage of computed radiography, digital radiography and picture archiving and communication systems. It explores the differences between conventional and digital imaging systems and how computed and digital radiography systems fit within the radiology department. State-of-the art information on image acquisition, exposure guidelines, and quality control help readers obtain the best possible radiographs. Also described are PACS workstations, archiving, film digitization, image printing and more.
