Morning Portables

I had a interesting experience with a technologist today. We were doing portable CXRs this morning. One patient we imaged was adamant that we avoid jostling his right side which was festooned with tubes. I put the cassette in on his left.

After we did a couple we returned to radiology do the paper work. The tech said, “That guy looked like a real gang banger.” He was referring to the young gentleman we had imaged earlier.

I replied to the tech, “I don't like to think that way.”
“Yeah,” said another, “isn't that profiling?”

We inspected the image on PACS. The tech pointed out that I clipped part of the anatomy. "And," the first tech said, “look at his lower right quadrant.” Lodged in his abdomen was a small, blunt radiopaque object. “A bullet. What I tell you?”

This exchange didn't make me feel very happy. I don't like to assume.