Device Application to Improve Patient Safety and Image Quality during Chest CT Examination of Unconscious Patients

Abstract

This study was to analyze the effect on patient safety and image quality improvement by lowering the arm and applying a self-made device during chest CT examinations of unconscious patients. From April 1 to September 30, 2022, 78 patients (male: 42, female: 36, mean age: 67 years old) among intensive care unit patients who underwent chest CT scan were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were classified into three positions as follows: both arms raised (A position), both arms straight out using the self-made device (B position), and both arms straight out to the side (C position). For radiation dose comparison, dose length product (DLP) values were measured and compared to each other. For image quality evaluation, image noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), and contrast to dose ratio (CNRDR) values were compared, and qualitative evaluation was also performed. The average DLP value of the B position was significantly lower than that of the C position, and it was relatively higher than that of the A position, but there was no significant difference statistically.(p=0.051) In the quantitative evaluation, it was evaluated that the B position maintains a quality quite similar to that of the A position despite the lowering of the both arms. In addition, in the qualitative evaluation, an average score was obtained between A and C. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the use of the self-made device for rapid and safe chest CT examination of unconscious patients is useful in improving patient dose and image quality.