MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL

AND ETHICAL CONCERNS

Presented by: Presented to:

GROUP 5 Ma’am Maricel P. Grande, RRT, MA
 MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL AND
ETHICAL CONCERNS

• Request for radiological examination

• Loan of Film
• Ownership and care of Equipment
• Applying new techniques
• Visitors of Radiology Department
 MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL CONCERNS REQUEST
FOR RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
1. Informed Consent
Ensuring patients understand risks, benefits, and alternatives
2. Compliance with regulations
Follow the set of regulations, standards and laws to secure the
safety of the patient.
E.G.:
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
3. Patient Autonomy
Respecting patients' refusal or withdrawal of consent
MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL CONCERNS REQUEST
FOR RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
4. Documentation and Record Keeping
a) Accurate reporting
b) Image storage and retrieval
c) Patient record maintenance
d) Documentation of consent
 MISCELLANEOUS ETHICAL CONCERNS
REQUEST FOR RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
1. Confidentiality
Maintaining the confidentiality of patient information is crucial.
Radiologists and other healthcare professionals must ensure that
patient data is protected and only shared with authorized individuals
involved in the patient's care.

2. Justification of Examination
Every radiological examination should be justified based on medical
necessity. Unnecessary exposure to radiation should be avoided,
and examinations should only be conducted when there is a clear
clinical indication.

3. Non-maleficence
Healthcare providers must adhere to the principle of "do no harm."
This involves weighing the potential benefits of the radiological
examination against the risks of radiation exposure and ensuring
 MISCELLANEOUS ETHICAL CONCERNS
REQUEST FOR RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
4. Quality Assurance
Ensuring high standards of practice is essential. This includes regular
maintenance and calibration of radiological equipment, adherence to
safety protocols, and continuous professional development for
radiologic technologists.

5. Informed Decision Making

Patients should be provided with all necessary information to make
informed decisions about their care. This includes explaining the
purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the radiological
examination in a way that is understandable to the patient.

6. Equity and Access

Ensuring fair access to radiological services is important. Healthcare
providers should strive to provide equitable care to all patients,
 MISCELLANEOUS ETHICAL CONCERNS
REQUEST FOR RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

7. Professional Boundaries
Radiologic technologists and other healthcare professionals must
maintain professional boundaries and avoid any form of exploitation
or abuse of their position.
8. Respect for Persons
Treating patients with respect and dignity throughout the
radiological examination process is fundamental. This includes
respecting their privacy, modesty, and personal preferences.
Loan of Film
LOAN OF FILM
-refers to the borrowing or sharing of radiographic films for
educational, diagnostic, or professional purposes.
Legal concerns
1.Patient Confidentiality
Legal obligations such as HIPAA requires a strict protection
of patient information.
2. Ownership of Records
 A facility that generates imaging maintains "ownership"
rights. Patients have a right to inspect their images and
obtain copies but they may not have the images or reports
modified or stricken. Any loaning of such films must
3. Informed Consent
 Patients must provide consent for their films to be
shared or loaned, especially if they are to be used
outside the context of direct medical care, such as in
education or research.
4. Proper Documentation
There should be proper documentation of the loan,
including the purpose, duration, and parties involved.
Failure to document properly can lead to disputes or
accusations of mishandling sensitive information.
 LOAN OF FILM
Ethical concerns
1.Lack of Patient Awareness
This occurs when a patient's radiologic images are
shared or loaned without their knowledge or consent.
2. Non-maleficence (Do No Harm):
The principle of "do no harm" mandates that any
loan of films should not result in harm to the patient,
including breaches of confidentiality or misuse of
their data.
 LOAN OF FILM
3. Beneficence
The loan of films should have a clear
benefit, such as for diagnostic
purposes, research, or education. If the
benefit is unclear or marginal, the loan
might not be ethically justifiable.
 OWNERSHIP AND CARE OF
EQUIPMENT
Radiological equipment, often complex and sensitive, is vital to
delivering accurate diagnostics. Proper ownership and care are
essential to prevent risks associated with equipment malfunction,
suboptimal imaging, or radiation exposure. Here’s a detailed
breakdown of the legal and ethical responsibilities:

Legal Concerns:
1. Maintenance and Compliance: Hospitals and imaging centers
are legally obligated to maintain radiological equipment in
compliance with health and safety regulations. Failure to do so can
lead to regulatory penalties and increased liability if patients or staff
are harmed by malfunctioning equipment. This includes regular
inspections, calibration, and adherence to guidelines set by health
authorities and organizations, such as the International Atomic
 OWNERSHIP AND CARE OF EQUIPMENT

2. Liability for Equipment Failure: When equipment

fails and causes harm (e.g., incorrect diagnostics or
overexposure to radiation), the hospital or facility may face
lawsuits from affected patients or staff. Ensuring
equipment undergoes routine maintenance and repair
minimizes these risks.
3. Training and Operation: Only trained and licensed
personnel are legally allowed to operate radiology
equipment. Ensuring staff has proper certification reduces
the chance of misuse, which can have both legal and
patient safety consequences.
 OWNERSHIP AND CARE OF EQUIPMENT
Ethical Concerns:
1. Duty to Report and Repair: Radiologic technologists have a professional and
ethical obligation to report any issues or irregularities in equipment performance
immediately. Ignoring faulty equipment is unethical as it can compromise patient
safety, diagnostic accuracy, and, potentially, the effectiveness of subsequent
treatment.

2. Patient Safety and Radiation Protection: Ethical practice in radiology includes

prioritizing patient safety, and this extends to equipment quality. High standards for
equipment care protect patients from excessive radiation doses or inaccurate
diagnoses that could lead to unnecessary interventions or missed conditions.

3. Transparency with Patients: If an equipment malfunction has led to suboptimal

imaging or incorrect results, it is ethically sound to disclose this to the patient and
recommend any necessary follow-up or retake exams. Radiology staff must advocate
for patient welfare and act with integrity, even in difficult situations.
 APPLYING TECHNIQUES
In the context of radiologic technologists in the Philippines, applying new
techniques involves several legal and ethical considerations

LEGAL CONCERNS:

1.Regulatory Compliance

Radiologic technologists in the Philippines must ensure that any new

radiological techniques or procedures comply with the regulations set forth
by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Philippine
Radiologic Technology Act (Republic Act No. 7431). The law outlines the
qualifications, scope of practice, and ethical standards for radiologic
technologists.

Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) (now the FDA Philippines) regulates
medical devices, including radiological equipment. New techniques often
require approval of new equipment or procedures through these regulatory
bodies before they can be implemented.
 APPLYING TECHNIQUES
2.Informed Consent

For new radiologic techniques, informed consent is essential to ensure that patients
are fully aware of the risks, benefits, and potential side effects of the procedure. This
is required under Philippine medical ethics and law to protect patient rights and
autonomy.

If a new technique involves experimental procedures or untested equipment, the

technologist must ensure that the patient understands that the procedure is not fully
established and must obtain explicit consent.

3.Medical Malpractice Liability

If a new technique leads to harm or injury to a patient due to improper application,
training, or equipment malfunction, radiologic technologists could be held legally
liable for negligence or malpractice.
Technologists must ensure they are properly trained and certified in any new
techniques before using them, in accordance with PRC guidelines.
 APPLYING TECHNIQUES

4.Radiation Protection Regulations

The use of new imaging techniques, particularly those involving

radiation, must comply with radiation safety standards set by the
Department of Health (DOH), particularly through the Radiation
Health Program. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action or
penalties.
Radiologic technologists must ensure that safety measures, such as
shielding, monitoring, and dose limits, are applied to protect both
patients and staff.
 APPLYING TECHNIQUES

Ethical Concerns:
1.Patient Welfare
Ethically, radiologic technologists must ensure that any new technique used
is in the best interest of the patient. This includes verifying that the new
procedure is medically necessary, beneficial, and safe.
The technologist should avoid using experimental techniques unless there is
a compelling medical need, and the patient has provided informed consent
for the trial.
2.Professional Competence

Radiologic technologists are ethically obligated to ensure that they are

adequately trained and competent in any new techniques they apply. This
includes attending continuing education programs, workshops, or obtaining
 APPLYING TECHNIQUES
3.Non-Exploitation
The introduction of new techniques must not be driven by
financial incentives, such as profit-making from unproven or
experimental procedures. This would constitute an unethical
practice, especially if it risks patient safety.
4.Confidentiality and Privacy
The introduction of new imaging techniques, especially those
involving digital data or advanced imaging technologies, should
not compromise patient confidentiality. Technologists must
safeguard patient information, following the ethical principle of
confidentiality, in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012
 APPLYING TECHNIQUES

5.Transparency in Communication
It is important for radiologic technologists to communicate
effectively with the healthcare team, the patient, and their
family members when applying new techniques. They must
be honest about the purpose, risks, and potential outcomes
of the procedure, maintaining transparency at all stages of
care.
 VISITORS OF RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
• Visitors to a radiologic department encounter various legal and ethical issues
that must be carefully managed to ensure safety, privacy, and trust in
healthcare services. Here are some key concerns:

1.Patient Confidentiality and Privacy

• Legal Concerns: Radiologic departments handle sensitive medical data (such
as imaging results) that are protected under laws like HIPAA in the United
States. Unauthorized access or disclosure of patient information can lead to
legal consequences.
2. Radiation Safety and Exposure Risks
• Legal Concerns: Regulations govern exposure limits to protect both patients
and visitors. Failure to comply with safety protocols can result in regulatory
action, fines, or legal liability.

3. Informed Consent
Legal Concerns: Informed consent is crucial, especially if a visitor must be
 VISITORS OF RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
4. Non-Discrimination and Equity
Legal Concerns: Anti-discrimination laws require equal
access to medical services, regardless of race, ethnicity,
gender, or disability. This extends to visitors accompanying
patients.
5. Right to Refuse
Legal Concerns: Visitors generally have the right to refuse
participation or presence in certain procedures, particularly
if there are potential health risks. Staff should be aware of
these rights to avoid potential legal disputes.
 VISITORS OF RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
6. Security and Unauthorized Access
Legal Concerns: Unauthorized individuals in restricted
areas can lead to privacy breaches and safety risks.
Radiologic departments must follow security protocols to
limit access to authorized personnel only.
7. Interference with Patient Care
Legal Concerns: Visitors who interfere with patient care
can create a hazardous environment. Radiologic staff have
a duty to maintain a safe and efficient environment,
addressing any visitor behavior that disrupts operations.
 VISITORS OF RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
1. Patient Confidentiality and Privacy
Ethical Concerns: Beyond legal compliance, there is an ethical duty to
respect patients’ privacy. A Radiologic staff must ensure that conversations
about patient conditions are kept confidential and that imaging results are
shared only with authorized personnel.
2. Radiation Safety and Exposure Risks
Ethical Concerns: Ethically, radiologic departments are responsible for
minimizing radiation exposure. This includes informing visitors about risks,
providing lead shielding as needed, and restricting access to certain areas.
3. Informed Consent
Ethical Concerns: Ethically, it’s important that visitors fully understand why
they’re present in the room and any associated risks. Radiologic staff
 VISITORS OF RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
4. Non-Discrimination and Equity
Ethical Concerns: Radiologic departments must treat all visitors fairly, providing
necessary accommodations and ensuring that diverse cultural backgrounds are
respected in a sensitive environment.
5. Right to Refuse
Ethical Concerns: Respecting a visitor’s autonomy is essential. Staff should avoid
pressuring anyone to participate in a procedure if they are uncomfortable, instead
seeking alternatives when necessary.
6. Security and Unauthorized Access
Ethical Concerns: Ethically, it is crucial to ensure that restricted areas are secure,
as unauthorized individuals may disrupt operations or compromise patient privacy.
7. Interference with Patient Care
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!