Tattoo

Question 1

Provide (3) reasons of why tattooing is used?

Answer 1

Reproducibility
External markers for internal anatomy
Departmental efficiency - set up is faster

Question 2

How is the location determined?

Answer 2

Use of laser coordination system marked with marker pen (cross)
Protocol is different in accordance to which site

Question 3

What is documented in relation to tattooing?

Answer 3

Measurements, anatomical landmarks used and photos

Question 4

Provide an example of safety precautions that need to be considered when tattooing a patient

Answer 4

ALWAYS ASSUME PATIENT IS INFECTIOUS

• New needle each tattoo
• Gloves are to be warn
• Following departmental protocol
• Awareness of patient (sensitivity)

Question 5

Explain the process of tattooing a patient

Answer 5

1. Align patient with laser coordination system
2. Check location is suitable for tattooing (not on folds/bone)
3. Mark area with pen
4. Place CT markers -> patient will be scanned
5. Remove markers
6. Gather relevant equipment to commence tattooing: gloves, alcohol rub/wipe, ink, cotton pad/tissue
7. Clean area with alcohol wipe, dab ink onto skin and uncap needle and dab into ink again and inform patient that there will be small prick, angle of needle needs to be 45 degrees and should only pierce superficial layer of skin. Remove needle and clean area with cotton pad/tissue (check if tattoo is visible)
8. Repeat steps for each site of tattoo

Question 6

What equipment is used in tattooing?

Answer 6

Needle
Gloves
Ink
Alcohol wipe
Marker pen
Sharps bin
Bandaid (if necessary)

Question 7

How would you explain to a patient and gain consent to give a tattoo

Answer 7

Need to explain what is involved (what you will be doing and that a needle will be used and it will be permanent)
Need to define how many there will be and where
What the tattoos will look like

(important to provide reassurance to patient in discussion)

Allow time for questions and address any concerns they may have

Question 8

What are alternatives to tattooing?

Answer 8

Align RT

Surface guided RT

Question 9

In the event the patient refuses a tattoo, how would you approach this situation?

Answer 9

Reinforce the importance of them in relation to treatment (we use them to set you up everyday to ensure that it is accurate, it also makes treatment go faster)

Understand why the patient does not want tattoos (cultural etc) e.g. Do you mind me asking why you don’t want a tattoo. I just want to understand and see if we can come to a solution that’s suitable for you

If patient is still not compliant/interested. Another RT can try and explain it and see if they are able to reason with the patient. If this fails -> RO.