Red Dot, Red Meat, Red Sauce!

Now that we have completed our summer term here in South Australia, I am becoming more familiar with some of the practices and policies that guide the radiographers during day-to-day exams. One of the things that I really find interesting and inspiring is a program called “Red Dot”. I am not clear on the genesis of the program but the concept is interesting. For example, a radiographer images a left elbow and completes the necessary views without seeing anything obvious. The patient is escorted back to where they came from and the radiographer returns to finish the verification process. On closer inspection, the radiographer finds a hairline fracture through the anterior lip of the radial head. The fracture is subtle and offers no clinical signs that might lead to recognition. At this point the Red Dot system dictates that the radiographer would flag the images and let the requesting person know what they might have found. That’s just cool! I think the system is fantastic. It allows the radiographer a chance to exercise systems thinking and add to a patient’s clinical outcome, and it allows the radiologist to have yet another set of fresh eyes to help evaluate without taking anything away from his/her position. Most importantly, it allows the radiographer to continue learning and growing. I find that very inspiring! You can be in a position for 20 something years and still not know everything out there.

I would like to know if anyone in the United States has come across a similar mind set or similar program? Unfortunately my time in clinical settings back in the United States was limited to say the least, and the majority of my experience is now Australian based.

To change the topic completely, Melissa and I have been discussing some of the American things that we miss now that we have been away from home for a few months. Family, friends and our vehicles are all on the list but we do our best not to “winge” too much. That being said, I miss my cheap Dr. Pepper and good ole-fashion American BBQ! There is nothing in this massive world that can come close to the barbeque that we as Americans love. Whether the BBQ is from St Louis, Texas or Kentucky, it’s all fantastic (excluding that North Carolina apple-cider vinegar based garbage of course). And those of you who know me know that I have a bit of a problem with Dr. Pepper. Hello my name is Chad and I am a DP addict and I have been clean for too long! One of my favorite meals would be some good friends, good brisket dripping with a sweat homemade BBQ sauce, and an ice cold Dr. Pepper! The funny thing is that I know that sodas are the devil and I know what they do to a person’s health. But what good is life if you spend it deprived of the finer things! In Australia, I have to pay about three dollars for a DP fix. And that’s for a 12 ounce can, and I have only seen two places in Adelaide that have the things. It’s just wrong.

I better conclude this rambling at go hunt down a Dr. Pepper! Thanks for listening, hope you are all doing well and enjoying smoked meats!

Chad