Kathy S. Thomas, MHA, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS
The December 2019 issue marks the completion of my second year as JNMT Editor. Through the tireless efforts of my associate and consulting editors, the unbelievable support from Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging staff, and the growing number of technologist authors, we continue to build and enhance content of the JNMT. Looking back on the 2019 calendar year, JNMT has offered its readers 13 continuing education opportunities, numerous state-of-the-art scientific research discussions, and multiple teaching case studies that demonstrate unusual findings or clearly demonstrate how imaging was useful in helping with a diagnosis. Additionally, the thoughtful submissions for the Educators’ Forum continue to provide our educators with useful information to support professional growth or enhance teaching skills. Finally, the Practical Protocol Tips and recently added Practical Pointers provide straightforward “how to” explanations of imaging or therapeutic protocols or address specific issues found in the clinical setting.
This final issue of 2019 once again offers 3 excellent continuing education articles. Wilnellys Moore and Sarah Frye present the first of a 2-part series, “A Review of the HIPAA” (part 2 to be presented in the March 2020 issue) (1). The second contribution, written by Funmilayo Tade et al. provides technologists with a guide for best practices for 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT imaging (2). The final submission, written by Geoffrey Currie, expands on his brief communication in the September issue of JNMT regarding intelligent imaging, also known as AI (artificial intelligence). This is an important topic of growing interest in the medical community and its projected impact on the future practice of medicine (3). To enhance the educational offering of the 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT imaging manuscript, the Practical Protocol Tip, written by Jason Colloton, provides a concise protocol for 18F-fluciclovine (Axumin) imaging in recurrent prostate cancer (4).
Scientific research discussions in this issue cover several interesting topics including renal imaging and quantification, biodistribution and dosimetry with 131I-rituximab, a comparison of radiopharmaceuticals in lymphoscintigraphy, an assessment of blood glucose levels on 18F-FDG activity in the body, and a look at the effects of rotation speed and time on repetitive data acquisition with 123I-FP-CIT SPECT.
Quality improvement is always an important consideration in any clinical setting. In this issue, a quality improvement project undertaken by multiple centers to reduce the injection infiltration rate is discussed by Terrence Z. Wong et al. (5). In the March 2020 issue, a Practical Pointer is being developed to share key findings that have helped technologists in one institution improve injection techniques and reduce overall infiltration rates in the PET/CT department.
Professional development is a topic that readers identified as “needed” but seldom offered in JNMT. Too often we find front-line caregivers promoted to supervisory positions without the knowledge or experience in leadership to succeed. In this issue, Lynne Roy cites a personal journey taken by her with her organization to provide current and future supervisors and managers with the necessary skills and competencies to meet organizational goals and objectives while supporting the needs and issues of those working in the imaging departments (6).
Next, a submission by one of our student authors, Rani Noble, presents an interesting discussion on a wearable PET scanner for neurologic imaging (7). We hope to build on the number of student submissions in 2020 that reinforce clinical research by our student technologists as well as provide a positive experience that may encourage future submissions for publication.
Finally, don’t miss the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board’s article summarizing the 2018 technologist salary survey presented in the Departments section. This comprehensive discussion provides an in-depth summary of data acquired on salaries in the profession and will serve as a valuable resource for those looking for accurate data based on key variables including job title, gender, and geographic location.
As always, I encourage your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to improve JNMT. This journal is the only peer-reviewed journal that supports nuclear medicine technology. Its success, in part, relies on the continuous input from its readers. Additionally, the quality of JNMT relies on the volunteer efforts of its reviewers. If you would like to become a reviewer for JNMT, please contact me at ksthomas0412{at}msn.com.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year.
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