Radiography ARC Scenario
Ann is a radiographer at a small community hospital. While taking her lunch
break in the staff lounge, a coworker named Jeff mentioned to her and other staff
members that he may have accidentally been stuck by a needle that morning. He told
them that he had performed an IV injection of X-ray contrast for an IVP and possibly
nicked himself while disposing the needle. Jeff said he thought he felt a stick, but did not
notice any blood. He thoroughly washed his hands and left it at that. Ann knew that the
only patient scheduled for an IVP that morning was an acquaintance from high school
who was a known drug user. Although Ann did not socialize with this patient she had
friends who did and they revealed to her that he had tested positive for HIV.
Ann suggested to Jeff that he fill out an incident report and go to the ER to be
checked out as a precaution. When Jeff shrugged it off as unnecessary, Ann said to him,
"You really should be checked just to be on the safe side. It's hospital policy and you
never know what types of diseases patients may have." Jeff stated that he was really not
that concerned. Ann knew that policy required staff to report unintended needle sticks to
the Employee Health Department. She went to the supervisor that both she and Jeff
reported to and told the supervisor about the incident without revealing her knowledge
about the patient. The supervisor indicated that it was up to Jeff whether or not to take
action and that there was nothing for anyone to do about it since no one else witnessed
the event.
After speaking with her supervisor, Ann is confused about what she should do
next. She considers having a private conversation with Jeff to explain what she knows
about the patient. She contemplates going above her supervisor by reporting to the
department manager that the hospital policy is not being followed properly. She also
thinks that maybe she should just drop the issue all together since Jeff was not even sure
he was stuck.
Please address the following items regarding this scenario:
1. Define the problem in your own words.
2. Compare and contrast the available solutions.
3. Select one of the proposed solutions and defend it as your final solution.
4. Identify the weaknesses of your final solution.
5. Suggest ways to improve/strengthen your final solution. (you may use information not
contained within the scenario)
6. Reflect on your own thought process after completing the assignment.

What did you learn from this process?

What would you do differently next time?