A Collaborative Endeavor: Synergy and the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing

Synergy: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Interventional Oncology hosted its 5th annual meeting this year in Miami, Florida, November 5-8, 2015. As the meeting’s name suggests, a multidisciplinary approach to interventional oncology (IO) is crucial to ensure all disciplines are offering patients living with cancer the latest therapies and treatments available. The conference brings opportunities for attendees to learn from each other, form collaborative relationships, and gain new knowledge. Every year, the conference continues to evolve, incorporating new speakers on diverse topics and growing partnerships that foster relationships among physicians, radiology technologists, and nursing professionals. 

This year Synergy has partnered with the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing (ARIN) to offer attendees the latest knowledge and resources when caring for IO patients in the different imaging environments. Highlights of the symposium include sessions on liver transplant criteria, Y90 radioembolization, drug-eluting beads in hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic colorectal cancer, and nursing implications for a variety of interventional oncology therapies. 

Interventional radiology (IR) continues to expand, playing an increasing role in the care of patients with cancer. Starting from the patient’s entry in the diagnostic phase of their illness, through the procedural and treatment phase, IR cares for IO patients using the latest in minimally invasive image-guided approaches. Technical advances in radiology challenge the nurse caring for the IO patient to expand their skills and knowledge. ARIN helps the nurses gain new skillsets and stay competent in this highly technical and dynamic environment. 

ARIN was founded in 1981 with the purpose of offering nurses working in all imaging environments (diagnostic, neuro/cardiovascular, interventional, ultrasound, computerized tomography, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance, and radiation oncology), a resource for information and education to help guide nursing practice. With the continued growth of minimally invasive procedures in imaging, radiology nursing will continue to evolve and be critical to establishing the standards and guidelines for nursing practice to ensure the delivery of safe, quality patient care. ARIN is committed to fostering the growth of radiology and imaging nursing through educational opportunities and materials such as webinars, continuing education opportunities, an annual meeting, a newsletter, and a peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Radiology Nursing). As the premier organization for radiology and imaging nursing, ARIN is a leader in the advancement of the specialty through position statements and guidelines that are relevant to the scope of practice. Radiology nurses can become certified in the specialty through a standardized examination that is accredited by the Radiologic Nursing Certification Board, Inc. ARIN offers a 2-day radiology nursing review course. This radiology nursing specific contact hour course can be used to prepare for the Radiology Nurse Certification exam. The newly revised and expanded third edition of the “Core Curriculum for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing” was published in June 2014. This is a must-have resource for clinicians working in radiology (more information at www.arinursing.org). The Core Curriculum includes diagnostic and therapeutic applications for the oncology patient. Relevant to IO, procedures such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are discussed, as well as, the management of oncologic complications such as pain, obstruction, and emergencies such as spinal cord compression, superior vena cava syndrome, and cardiac tamponade. All the changes to the latest edition of the Core Curriculum reflect the growth and advances in the field of radiology and radiology nursing.

As ARIN continues to lead the radiology nursing profession, it must be interactive with its members and viewers. All areas of radiology need to be addressed as they relate to the clinical nursing care of patients. In aiming to meet its commitment of staying visible, virtual, and vital, this year ARIN has had the opportunity to collaborate with Interventional Oncology 360, a web-based journal for all professionals working within the IO setting.  Future collaborative projects are underway between ARIN and Interventional Oncology 360, and soon members and followers will have more resources available to them. Subscribers to Interventional Oncology 360 will have the opportunity to utilize ARIN’s website and its social media avenues to research and learn about the latest interventions and treatments being offered to patients, learn about the benefits of ARIN membership, and much more. Additionally, the opportunities to learn and network about the latest in IO therapies in blogs, monthly columns, and articles from physicians, technologists, and nursing professionals will be of significant value. 

As interventional oncology continues to expand, offering new treatments and therapies to patients, so will the need for all health care professionals working in this setting. A multidisciplinary model to care for patients will benefit the profession and, most importantly, the patients. This year’s efforts have resulted in a new endeavor between Synergy, ARIN, and Interventional Oncology 360 and it is with great enthusiasm that all those involved in this year’s collaborative efforts offer Synergy attendees an event that is filled with new knowledge, new relationships and new opportunities for collaboration to further the practice. 

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the Synergy Daily conference newspaper, available to attendees of the Synergy Miami interventional oncology meeting in November 2015. 

Suggested citation: Wempe EP, Sousa M. A collaborative endeavor: Synergy and the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing: excerpted from the official show daily for Synergy 2015. Intervent Oncol 360. 2015;3(12):E148-E150.