Mobile Radiography -- Locations
Postanesthesia Care Unit - Abbreviated as PACU or referred to as the "recovery room". Located outside surgery for ease of transfer and access by surgeons and anesthesia personnel.
Mobile radiographic exams are ordered to:
1. Check line placement.
2. Rule out pneumothorax or atelectasis.
3. Check orthopedic hardware placement.
Emergency Trauma Unit or Emergency Department (ED)
Mobile radiography is used in the ED to:
1. To avoid interruption of care for very critical patients.
2. Assess injuries of spine, pelvis and chest without removing immobilization or risking confounding injuries to the patient.
You must provide aprons for all essential ED personnel in the room. Use proper protection from blood and other bodily fluids for yourself and the equipment.
Neonatal Intensive Care and Newborn Nursery (NICU) – A special unit for care of babies who are premature, low birth weight or have a health issue. Many are very–high-risk infants.
Mobile exams often must be performed while the infant is in an incubator that is necessary to keep baby warm. Use proper shielding guidelines. Extra care is required when using aseptic techniques, gowns and gloves are often required when handling the infants. Often performed for transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The task of obtaining images of the infant and maintaining a safe environment without cross-infection is very important.
Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units (ICU and CCU) - Are used to care for very ill patients who require frequent, if not constant, monitoring.
Chest radiograph is the most common mobile exam requested.
You must be able to maneuver and work around a lot of equipment such as:
1. Cables
2. Pumps
3. Tubing
4. Lines
Shield the patient and provide aprons for personnel who cannot exit area to protect them from exposure.