Course Description
Bedside chest X-ray (CXR) is an essential tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of critically ill patients, many of whom cannot be safely transported to the radiology department for conventional imaging. Patients in the Intensive Care Unit often require frequent imaging to evaluate changes in health status and to confirm the placement and functioning of tubes, lines, and medical devices. Bedside imaging presents many significant challenges, including the presence of medical devices and tubing that interfere with image acquisition and interpretation, difficulties positioning patients, and characteristics of the mobile radiography devices. However, due to the need for frequent imaging in critically ill patients, it is especially important to understand current recommendations regarding the appropriate indications for bedside CXR, and to identify practices that reduce unnecessary radiation exposure for patients, radiologic technologists, and others. Because each radiograph entails additional radiation exposure for patient and healthcare staff, a primary focus of radiation safety has been the use of appropriate patient positioning, collimation, and optimizing other technical aspects of the procedure to reduce the need for repeat images. Digital radiography, although offering many technical advantages over earlier screen-film technology, has also been associated with a trend toward use of higher radiation levels, a phenomenon that has been referred to as “dose creep.” Most radiation exposure for radiographers originates from the patient in the form of scattered low-energy radiation. For radiographers, important steps toward reducing occupational exposure include appropriate use of shielding and maintaining a safe distance from the X-ray tube and the patient. This article, which focuses on bedside CXR, examines some of the barriers to image acquisition in the mobile radiography setting, reviews recommendations to improve efficiency and decrease the number of images required, and identifies methods to reduce radiographer exposure.

Learning Objectives
After reading this article, the participant should be able to:

• Use patient positioning techniques and other strategies to reduce radiation exposure for patients undergoing bedside CXR.
• Identify sources of radiation exposure for radiologic technologists performing bedside CXR.
• Apply appropriate measures to reduce occupational exposure.

Categories: Digital Radiography, X-Ray/Radiography, Radiation Safety/Protection

CE Information
In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the “Take CE Test!” link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must obtain a score of 75% to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 1.0 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same or any subsequent biennium.