There has been some professional discussion online around the use of anatomical markers which reflects a 50-50 split for using or not using markers.

The stance of the professional body is that it is a professional responsibility “to place anatomical side markers in the primary beam for all images, unless there are exceptional circumstances.” (Please see here for full details.)  

It is for individual departments, based on their specific circumstance, to decide whether imaging during the COVID-19 pandemic provides such an exceptional circumstance. We would suggest doing a risk assessment on the type of equipment in use, access to decontamination equipment, numbers of patients, risks of flipping an image, etc., as these will all impact on the decision made.

As long as a radiographer can justify the use, or not, of physical markers (preferably in a written system of work) then whatever decision is made would be deemed appropriate professional practice.