To help improve technologist safety in radiology, the ASRT Foundation and Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. have partnered to launch the Safety FiRsT™ grant program. The Safety FiRsT program is a new component of Toshiba’s focus on putting its customers first by providing 360 degrees of coverage, guidance and expertise, enabling ASRT member institutions to fund creative programs aimed at improving safety for radiologic technologists.

The Safety FiRsT program will award two ASRT members a grant of up to $7,000 each for the implementation of a radiologic technology safety program or creative idea aimed at improving technologist safety. These facilities will then implement the program and share best practices.

“The Safety FiRsT program grants will help facilities to ensure the safety of their technologists and meet their business needs simultaneously,” said ASRT Foundation Chairman of the Board Steve J. Hardy, M.S., R.T.(R)(T)(CT). “Assistance that helps purchase new equipment for technologists, create new training programs or implement other inventive ideas to improve safety allows the facilities to focus on providing the highest-quality care.”

“Safety goes beyond lowering radiation dose; it is an encompassing concept that requires constant refinement, guidance and expertise,” said Satrajit Misra, vice president of marketing for Toshiba. “Developing this new grant program allows hospitals to further their pursuit of establishing programs that meet the goals of the Triple Aim by improving individual and population-wide care.”

All eligible facilities are encouraged to apply by completing an application at www.asrtfoundation.org/safetyfirst. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1, 2015, and the winners, selected by the ASRT Foundation, will be announced in October.

The ASRT Foundation and Toshiba Safety FiRsT grants are funded by an educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc.