Purpose or Case Report: To compare the radiation doses that result from different digital radiography imaging methods on neonatal patients in Giraffe Beds using phantom imaging and radiation measurement devices. The lowest dose options will be considered to design an imaging process.
Methods & Materials: Using technical factors of 0.63 mAs and 60 kVp as a constant, test images were taken on a phantom in a Giraffe Bed using the following methods:
1) Cassette placed in the bed tray and image taken with the hood down at 40” SID (Source-to-Image Distance)
2) Cassette placed directly under phantom on bed mattress (not in tray) and image taken with the hood down at 40” SID
3) Cassette placed in the bed tray and image taken with the hood up at 36.5” SID
4) Cassette placed directly under phantom on bed mattress (not in tray) and image taken with the hood up at 32” SID
5) Cassette placed directly under phantom on bed mattress (not in tray) and image taken with the hood down at 32” SID
For each imaging method, the radiation dose and EI (Exposure Index) number were recorded.

Results: The range of radiation dose recorded was 2.045-4.163 mR. The range of EI numbers collected was 78-318. The results of the above methods are as follows:
1. 2.045 mR, 78 EI
2) 2.146 mR, 121 EI; 2.153 mR, 122 EI
3) 3.874 mR, 99 mR; 3.941 mR, 101 EI
4) 4.107 mR, 192 EI; 4.163 mR, 191
5) 3.629 mR, 318 EI
The radiolucent bed hood caused a decrease of approximately 13% of the radiation reaching the image detector. Utilizing the imaging tray in the Giraffe Bed caused a decrease of approximately 5% of the radiation reaching the image detector. Images taken at the shortest SID resulted in the highest doses and least optimal EI numbers as anticipated. Please note Image 1 had an inconsistant EI measurement.

Conclusions: During the study, varying the SID had the most significant impact on radiation doses and EI numbers compared to the other factors caused by the Giraffe Bed. The maximum SID allowed when the bed hood is raised is only 32” which produces higher radiation doses and EI numbers compared to imaging through the bed hood in the down position at a greater SID. When designing an imaging process, the primary consideration should compensate for a greater SID to reduce the radiation dose and EI number. Imaging at a greater SID also allows the technologist to select a wider range of technical factors and avoid over exposure of the smallest neonatal patients.