Experience of the Usage of a Portable X-ray System

• Published in: Air Medical Journal Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 14 - 17
• Main Authors: Omori, Kazuhiko, Muramatsu, Ken-ichi, Nagasawa, Hiroki, Takeuchi, Ikuto, Kushida, Yoshihiro, Ohsaka, Hiromichi, Jitsuiki, Kei, Oode, Yasumsa, Yanagawa, Youichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Air Ambulances; Air Ambulances - statistics & numerical data; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Medical Services - methods; Emergency Medical Services - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Point-of-Care Systems; Point-of-Care Systems - statistics & numerical data; Radiography; Radiography - instrumentation; Radiography - methods; Radiography - statistics & numerical data; Retrospective Studies; Transportation of Patients; Transportation of Patients - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2019.09.018
• ISSN: 1067-991X; 1532-6497

The purpose of this study was to introduce the use of a portable X-ray system by the staff members of a doctor helicopter (DH). From January 11 to 18, 2019, we were given temporary access to a portable X-ray system. This period is defined as the investigation term. During the investigation term, a medical chart review was retrospectively performed for all patients who were transported by the DH. We investigated the variables between cases in which an X-ray study had been performed (X-ray group) and had not been performed (control group). Thirteen subjects were classified into the X-ray group, and 17 were classified into the control group. No X-ray studies were performed for patients who underwent interhospital transportation, and the proportion of cases involving patients with exogenous disease in the X-ray group was greater than that in the control group. We reported our experience of DH staff performing X-ray studies at the scene. Further studies are required to determine the indications for using portable X-ray systems in the prehospital setting.