Through-the-Glass Portable Radiography of Patients in Isolation Units: Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2021 Oct;217(4):883-887. doi: 10.2214/AJR.20.23367. Epub 2020 Nov 25.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. To reduce staff exposure to infection and maintain operational efficiency, we have developed a protocol to image patients using portable chest radiography through the glass of an isolation room. This technique is safe and easy to implement. Images are of comparable quality to standard portable radiographs. CONCLUSION. This protocol, used routinely by our department during the COVID-19 pandemic, can be applied to any situation in which the patient is placed in isolation.

Keywords: COVID-19; artifacts; coronavirus disease; disaster response; infectious disease; mass casualty; patient isolation; portable imaging.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / diagnostic imaging*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Isolation / methods*
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Radiography, Thoracic / methods*
  • SARS-CoV-2