24 hours / 7 days a week
A digital mobile chest x-ray will be carried out for the following indications
Investigation of signs and symptoms thought to be due to diseases of the chest
Investigation of an infectious disease
Neck, chest or abdominal trauma (including iatrogenic or device related)
Investigation of lines, tubes, other medical devices or foreign objects
Investigation and surveillance of respiratory, cardiac or multiple organ failure
Suspected thromboembolic disease
Investigation of signs and symptoms thought to be due to diseases of the abdomen
Investigation of an infectious disease
Abdominal trauma (including iatrogenic or device related)
Investigation of lines, tubes, other medical devices or foreign objects
Suspected intestinal obstruction
Constipation refractory to simple treatments, difficult to investigate (i.e. patient unconscious or incapacitated) or potentially requiring interventional management
Suspected toxic megacolon
A limited range of extremity imaging will be available.
We will be able to perform the following examinations on site:
Upper limb: hand to elbow (inclusive of both areas)
Lower limb: foot to knee (inclusive of both areas)
These will only be available for acute injury within the last 7 days. We will not image these areas to investigate chronic issues.
We acknowledge that patients may require hip imaging following falls, and this will be provided by CT imaging rather than plain film, due to the doses involved with plain film.
Requests must be made electronically using ICE (our clinical orders system). It is also then important to communicate with the radiographer looking after your pod so that a discussion around clinical urgency and ideal timing / prioritisation can take place.
When the radiographer is outside of the clinical area
If you have requested any type of imaging please call either the plain film Radiographer for your hall or CT Radiographers to inform them there is an examination to undertake and to discuss the most appropriate time for this to happen.
You will be able to view x-rays in a number of convenient ways
Immediate clinical review on the machine at the bedside for safer positioning of tubes and lines
Any computer using PACS Xero Viewer
Large diagnostic monitor at the Radiology Base Station in each hall
As we are using digital radiography, images will be viewable immediately on the machine after exposure. It will therefore be possible to discuss the findings with the radiographer and make a judgement whether the images are satisfactory or need repeating.
Acceptable reasons for repeating examinations
Clearly inadequate image quality, missing key anatomical details, under or overexposing or failing to answer clinical question due to technical factors.
Repositioning of lines / tubes
Exposures should only be repeated when the radiographer believes there is a reasonable chance of achieving better quality and there is a clear benefit from doing so when the increased radiation dose is considered.
Consultant Radiologists will read and report chest x-rays during the hours 09:00 - 17:00 7-days per week. Studies acquired outside of these working hours shall be reported the following morning by routine. However if a specialist opinion is required, the on-call radiologist will provide this by remote consultation.
From 20:00 this reporting service shall be provided by teleradiology by Medica by a remote consultant radiologist.