International Covid-19 support for Radiographers and Radiological Technologists

Prior to undertaking the mobile X-ray examination, the radiographer / RT must select an appropriate mobile X-ray unit and image receptor.  Most radiology departments will utilise either digital radiography (DR) or computed radiography (CR) systems.  In some jurisdictions mobile radiography may still be undertaken using film-screen based systems but these are likely to be a relatively limited number of decreasing cases.  Selection of the most appropriate X-ray unit and image receptor will depend on several factors.  These will include equipment availability, location, infection control issues and local protocols. Where available mobile radiography should ideally be undertaken using a DR unit, this will allow review of the resultant image at the patient’s bedside and the opportunity for immediate repeat imaging.  Such repeats could be due to technical reasons or the relocation of medical devices, for example endotracheal or nasogastric tubes (Figure 3).  Prior to undertaking a mobile X-ray examination, it is important to ensure that the mobile machine is adequately charged, fully functioning, contains the necessary ancillary items and has been cleaned to locally accepted standards.  A full list of items required for undertaking mobile examinations can be found in Table 3.  As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic it is likely that mobile X-ray units will be segregated for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cases.  This may require relocation of units to different parts of the hospital.  In such circumstances it is important to minimise the movement of X-ray equipment between segregated areas.