No one wants to think about children having to spend time in the hospital, but for millions of children every year, this is the reality. It is something that outs a strain on families, scares children, stresses parents, and presents a different set of challenges to hospital staff.

Keeping an infant or toddler still is something that every parent knows the difficulty of. For x-ray technicians and surgeons it is imperative that kids remain immobile. Equipment suppliers and technical consultants have worked to develop special equipment that helps keep young patients still for a procedure, be it an x-ray or stitches, facilitating the speed and ease with which a procedure can be completed. Keeping things moving at a faster pace helps eliminate stress on the young patient.

Of course, the obvious must be dealt with, too: Children are much smaller than other patients! This requires smaller stretchers, smaller back boards, smaller blood pressure cuffs - the list goes on. As with bariatric patients, equipment must be made to size for the littlest patients, too.

Then there is patient comfort to consider. Children appreciate things they can relate to: color, shapes, images of animals. Putting a little girl at ease for an exam is as simple as replacing the plain white exam gown with a colorful printed one. It makes them feel more involved in what is being done to them, and makes them more cooperative. Pediatricians can make the effort to have printed roll paper for their exam tables that can help distract toddlers during checkups. Pediatricians have a vast array of pediatric supplies at their disposal to make their daily routine easier.


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The pictures taken of the inside of your body by an x-ray technician help doctors pinpoint injuries and illnesses. A break in a bone can be seen. A shadow in the chest are may indicate pneumonia or even cancer. A blocked artery can be diagnosed and treated before it ever leads to heart failure. Compensation filters help techs get the clearest picture of the affected area.

The x-ray process seems fairly straightforward - push a button, take a picture, view results - but there is so much that goes into it behind the scenes. Film and development, special lighting in the dark room and handling of the films using cassettes, cleaning the equipment to keep it in tip-top condition - all of this takes place without the patient knowing much about it.

One of the key areas that patients don't think much about is protection. Upon situating for an x-ray, a patient's sex organs are covered with a lead-lined blanket. This is to protect them from sterility and other sexual and reproductive complications. Technicians avoid taking x-rays of pregnant women whenever possible.

There's more to radiology than just x-rays, though. Any mother can tell you the joy she felt when she was given her first ultrasound to hear her baby's heart. She'll probably also be able to tell you just how cold the wand was! That problem can be eliminated by using a warmer for your gel bottles. And sanitizing cleansing solution to clean the wand will remove the risk of spreading germs from patient to patient. It is these radiology supplies that make diagnostic imaging successful.



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Applying for Social Security Disability or SSI is not simply an event--it is a process and a commitment. There are loads of paperwork, phone calls, medical visits and medical records, and you'll probably be denied once or twice (or more!). Your disability application is the first step in the process, and not one to be taken lightly. Before you apply, there are 5 things you should understand first.

Tip #1: Don't take shortcuts.

You may be tempted to do whatever is quickest and easiest when it comes to providing information in your disability application and in your interview. This is a big mistake. Do the extra work to gather every detail you possibly can, and make sure your case worker at the SSA has everything BEFORE your interview. Don't give Social Security any reason to put your file on the shelf--a quick decision, even if it is a denial, is actually a good thing. Why? Because of tip #2.

Tip #2: Expect a denial.

Is this pessimistic? Not really. Most disabled applicants are denied at first, and many are quite obviously disabled. In fact, statistics show that many are denied at the next level as well. If you expect this and plan accordingly, you will be prepared to appeal as soon as the disability denial comes. If you are one of the lucky few who are approved immediately, congratulations. If not, appeal quickly and get your disability claim considered again as soon as possible. The point in the disability process where you have the best chance of being approved is at the hearing level.

Tip #3: Get your own medical records.

Social Security will tell you not to worry about getting your medical records, because the workers will do that for you. I suggest that you do not allow Social Security to request all of your medical information, for three reasons:

One, doctors are often intimidated by the formal requests Social Security sends, and they feel like their license may be in question if they give too strong a recommendation for you. Thus, only about 50% of doctors actually send records in to Social Security, leaving many disability claims without the necessary medical evidence.

Two, when Social Security requests records, it usually takes much longer to get them back and processed. This means you are waiting longer than you should.

And three, getting your own medical records allows you to speak with the doctor about your disability claim. Ask him or her about your ability to work, any restrictions he or she recommends, and ask if he or she would complete a medical questionnaire with questions specific to Social Security's medical requirements. If the doctor is supportive, he or she will be happy to provide you with all the paperwork you need. If not, you'll know it is time to find another doctor.

Tip #4: Get financial backup.

Since the process of applying for disability or SSI takes so long, you may want to have a backup plan for awhile. Do not wait until you are homeless to apply for Social Security benefits. Check with family members and friends, and be prepared to sell assets or use your savings, if applicable.

If your electricity or heating is being turned off, you are being kicked out of your home, you can't afford direly necessary medications, or your life is threatened by your disability, let Social Security know immediately as they may be able to expedite your case. If your situation is extremely dire, you can always contact your state representative and ask them to contact Social Security regarding your disability claim.

Tip #5: If you are applying for SSI and are working, watch your paycheck.

If you are able to work a little, Social Security will be watching to see if you can meet SGA, or Substantial Gainful Activity. This is an income limit that is dependent on a few different variables. Ask your case worker what your current limits are, as they increase every year. If you meet or exceed SGA, your application will automatically be denied. If you have already been approved, caution is even more important--your benefits will be discontinued and you may have to pay Social Security back.


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