Comparison of image quality in chest, hip and pelvis examinations between mobile equipment in nursing homes and static indirect radiography equipment in the hospital

H. Precht, D. L. Hansen, B. M. Ring-Pedersen, L. F. Møller Hansen, D. Waaler, A. Tingberg, M. Midtgaard, M. G. Jensen Ohlsen, S. T. Juhl Hankelbjerg, P. Ravn, I. E. Jensen, J. K. Christensen, P. A. Blackburn Andersen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: A hospital environment can be a significant burden and a health risk especially for dementia patients. Mobile x-ray equipment (ME) is used to enable imaging of these patients at home. The aim was to compare image quality (IQ) of chest, hip and pelvis images from ME to the stationary equipment (SE) used in a hospital department. Methods: We analysed examinations of the chest (n = 20), hip (n = 64) and pelvis (n = 32). Images were equally obtained from each setting of ME and SE. All images were graded using Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) by three radiographers (hip and pelvis) and three radiologists (chest). Technical IQ assessment was done by 80 additional images of a Contrast-Detail Radiography phantom (CDRAD). Results: All chest images were approved for diagnostic use, as well as the hip AP and pelvis images from SE. ‘Approved proportion of ME images was for HIP antero-posterior (AP) and pelvis, 78% [95% CI: 52–94%] and 81% [95% CI: 54–96%] respectively. Hip axial had an overall low, but not significant different approval rate. Ordered logistic regression indicated higher IQ of HIP AP and pelvic images from SE. This contrasts that the CDRAD substudy indicated better IQ, expressed as IQFinv, from ME. Conclusion: The VGA showed higher IQ for the SE system, while the CDRAD showed higher IQ for the ME system. Implications for practice: Dementia patients can be examined at their home if the acquisition is optimised according to image quality in conjunct to radiation dose. Performing imaging out of the hospital and coordinating the patients’ further treatment are new work areas for radiographers and requires excellent communication skills.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-37
Number of pages7
JournalRadiography
Volume26
Issue number2
Early online date2019 Oct 24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 May 1

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Orthopedics
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

Free keywords

  • Image quality
  • Indirect digital radiography
  • Mobile radiography
  • Nursing homes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of image quality in chest, hip and pelvis examinations between mobile equipment in nursing homes and static indirect radiography equipment in the hospital'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this