Irish Institute of Radiography and Institúid Radagrafaíochta agus Teiripe

Radiation Therapy Radaíochta na hÉireann

28 Millbrook Court 28 Cúirt Shruthán an Mhuilinn

Kilmainham Cill Mhaighneann
Dublin 8 Baile Átha Cliath 8
Ireland Éire

Tel: +353 87 1313795 Email: info@iir.ie

Fax: +353 1 6790433 Web: www.iir.ie

IIRRT Endorsement of Intravenous Administration Courses for

Radiographers and Radiation Therapists
Administration of intravenous (IV) injections by Radiographers and Radiation Therapists has become
an established practice in Ireland and is fundamental to the operational management of many
diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy departments. Radiographers and Radiation Therapists performing
IV injections have an increased professional responsibility to achieve and maintain acceptable
standards of care.

Written protocols detailing the conditions under which Radiographers and Radiation Therapists may
perform IV administration should be drawn up locally. The IV administration protocol must be agreed
upon and signed by the Radiographic Services Manager (RSM), the Clinical Director / Head
Radiologist of the department and a hospital management representative (e.g. CEO).

The IIRRT will provide insurance cover for members to administer IV injections provided that they
fulfil both of the following requirements:
1) Have undertaken an IV administration course that is endorsed by the IIRRT,
2) Have approval to perform IV injections under the local hospital IV administration protocol.

The IIRRT recommends that an IV administration course for Radiographers and Radiation Therapists
should include at least the following topics:
 Anatomy & physiology
 Contrast agents (X-ray, CT & MRI)
 Patient profiling and risk groups
 Management of adverse reactions
 Nuclear Medicine (radiopharmaceuticals and radiation safety)
 Injection theory and procedure
 Injection practice (post course requirement, e.g., logbook evidence)
 Professional practice issues
 Medico-legal issues and establishing local protocols
 Practical cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (may be a post course requirement)

The IIRRT endorses intravenous administration courses at the following centres:

1. Diagnostic Imaging, UCD School of Medicine
2. Radiographers’ Education Group, St. James’s Hospital
3. Cork University Hospital / UCC Diagnostic Imaging Department
4. Sligo General Hospital
 Irish Institute of Radiography and Institúid Radagrafaíochta agus Teiripe
Radiation Therapy Radaíochta na hÉireann

28 Millbrook Court 28 Cúirt Shruthán an Mhuilinn

Kilmainham Cill Mhaighneann
Dublin 8 Baile Átha Cliath 8
Ireland Éire

Tel: +353 87 1313795 Email: info@iir.ie

Fax: +353 1 6790433 Web: www.iir.ie

Members are invited to submit details of other IV administration courses to the IIRRT for
endorsement. Course details should include:
 Name of centre
 Course date
 Course duration
 Course curriculum
 Post course practice requirements, e.g., logbook evidence etc.

Approval of a course will be subject to an evaluation of the submitted course details. The list of IV
administration courses endorsed by the IIRRT will be updated regularly on the website.

Applications for IV administration course endorsement should be submitted to:

President,
Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy,
28 Milbrook Court,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8