Mobile Workflow in Computed Tomography of the Chest

AbstractA CT system with a tablet as mobile user interface and a wireless remote control for positioning and radiation release has recently been presented. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a mobile CT examination workflow on the radiographers ’ performance compared to conventional examinations. A prototype of a radiation protection cabin was installed besides the gantry of a CT system. The CT system was equipped with a simplified user interface on a portable tablet and a mobile remote control. 98 patients with an indication for CT of t he chest were randomly assigned to examination using the mobile devices (study group,n = 47) or using the conventional stationary workflow on the console (reference group,n = 51). Three ceiling mounted fisheye cameras were used for motion tracking of the radiographers, two in the examination room and one in the control room. Relative density of detection heat-maps and area counts were assessed using a dedicated software tool to quantify radiographers’ movements. Duration of each task of the examination was manually recorded using a stopwatch. In the reference group 25% of the area counts were located inside of the examination room, while it was 48% in the study group. The time spent in the same room with the patient increased from 3:06 min (29%) to 6:01  min (57%) using the mobile workflow (p <  0.05), thereof 0:59 min (9%) were spent in moderate separation with maintained voice and visual contact in the radiation pr...
Source: Journal of Medical Systems - Category: Information Technology Source Type: research