Purpose or Case Report: The goal of this study is to educate Radiographers on varies specialty surfaces that are often under critical care patients and how they affect image quality on portable x-rays. By understanding which items cause image artifacts, radiographers can reduce the amount of repeated images and thus, decrease dose to patients.
Methods & Materials: We retrospectively reviewed portable images on infants lying on a hypothermia blanket, z-flo pillow, or delta foam that were not removed for their exam. We also compared those images with others where all underlying objects were removed prior to imaging. Included were images acquired on 10 infants from the CCU/NICU under the age of 12 months using a portable x-ray machine set with a manual technique of 60-70 kvp with a mAs of 1. Images were assessed by radiologist to determine whether objects created artifacts that impacted diagnostic interpretation.
Results: Images with infants lying on a delta foam resulted in no artifacts. Hypothermia blankets resulted in a “honey comb” like artifact and must be removed prior to imaging unless prohibited by patient condition. Imaging through z-flos did not disrupt viewing of cannulas or lines but did affect viewing of lung detail.
Conclusions: Critical patients can be imaged while lying on delta foams without impacting diagnostic read. Hypothermia blankets and z-flo pillows must be moved prior to imaging unless prohibited by physician due to patient condition. Any images obtained without removal of a specialty surface should be properly documented.