High-quality X-ray ICU imaging plays an essential role in patient assessment and treatment decision-making. However, traditional radiology practices are often marred by logistical complexities, risks of radiation overexposure, and patient mobility challenges that can hinder timely and effective care. Recognizing these pressing issues, KA Imaging has developed a revolutionary solution poised to reshape ICU practices: the Reveal 35C, a portable dual-energy X-ray detector that combines advanced imaging capabilities with user-friendly mobility. By offering a comprehensive imaging solution that addresses the unique needs of critically ill patients, KA Imaging’s Reveal 35C aims to not only enhance diagnostic accuracy but also optimize operational efficiencies within the ICU.
Current Challenges in Intensive Care Unit X-ray Practices
In the high-stakes environment of the intensive care unit (ICU), radiology plays a crucial role in monitoring patient conditions and implementing adequate treatment strategies. However, hospital workers face several significant challenges when integrating radiology into patient care in the ICU.
Adequately Monitoring Patient Condition
X-ray in ICU is used to continuously assess the condition of critically ill patients. Nevertheless, this regular imaging can be logistically complex and place additional stress on both patients and healthcare providers. This has resulted in a growing demand for portable imaging technology, which can be effective in lessening the logistical burden, but can still come with its own drawbacks.
Historically, mobile X-ray imaging has been considered a challenge due to its lower image quality compared to stationary systems. Factors like limited power, less advanced detectors, and the need for portability often resulted in compromised resolution and diagnostic clarity, making it difficult to rely on mobile X-rays for accurate diagnoses, particularly in critical settings like the ICU.
Monitoring the Location of Medical Devices
ICU patients will often have various medical devices, including catheters and endotracheal tubes, that require constant monitoring. Radiographic imaging is essential for verifying the correct placement and functioning of these devices. Despite this, studies have shown that traditional radiographs do not consistently detect misplaced devices. Misplacement can lead to serious complications, which highlights the need for reliable radiography.
Risk of Radiation Overexposure
With some patients being monitored on a daily basis, regular radiographs in the ICU run the risk of causing radiation overexposure. The cumulative radiation dose can be significant and lead to complications, particularly for patients who require frequent imaging. Hospital staff must carefully balance the need for radiological assessments with the potential harm from excessive radiation exposure, complicating clinical decision-making.
Difficulty in Patient Mobility
Transporting patients to other imaging modalities like CT scans presents considerable challenges. Moving critically ill patients can increase the risk of complications, as delicate medical equipment like ventilators are often involved in the process. Additionally, transferring patients may expose others in the hospital to potential infections, straining hospital resources and placing additional burdens on staff.
Each of these challenges have consequences on patient outcomes and the effectiveness of treatment in the intensive care unit. Finding a way to solve or decrease the severity of these challenges can have an immediate impact on quality of care and clinical outcomes. Mobile and portable x-ray technology is an example of an important milestone in ICU operations, but hospitals still require more innovative technologies to reliably overcome these obstacles.
Introducing KA Imaging’s SpectralDR Portable X-ray Technology
With these challenges in mind, KA Imaging set out to create an innovative solution that would provide comprehensive support while simultaneously offering superior imaging capabilities. Introducing Reveal 35C, a flat panel X-ray detector developed by the radiology experts at KA Imaging. Reveal 35C is the market’s first portable dual-energy X-ray detector.
Reveal 35C was implemented with KA Imaging’s patented SpectralDR technology, which allows the X-ray to produce 3 images with a single exposure, all while eliminating the appearance of motion artifacts. Healthcare professionals can get a full-spectrum view of the problem area, for example, chest x-rays (CXR) can produce an image that highlights the appearance of the ribs, another that subtracts the bone and leaves only the soft tissue, or lungs, visible, and a traditional image. This dual energy subtraction provides several benefits to users, including the ability to view areas of tissue that would otherwise be obscured by bone, and access to a more accurate depiction of the problem area with heightened contrast. Additionally, as Reveal 35C doesn’t require more than one exposure, it will use the average DR dosage to produce 3 images.
Case Study: Single Exposure Dual Energy X-ray Tested in The ICU
In an effort to measure the effectiveness of Reveal 35C in the ICU, KA Imaging partnered with Kitchener’s Grand River Hospital, who did a trial of the Reveal 35C technology for their CXR operations within the ICU. The goal of the study was to verify if the Reveal 35C dual-energy x-ray detector would be easy to implement and impactful for patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. Grand River Hospital measured the Reveal 35C portable flat panel x-ray detector’s image quality, its effect on staff workflow, and the need for follow-up imaging after using Reveal.
How KA Imaging’s Technology Overcomes ICU Challenges
The trial resulted in favorable outcomes for Reveal 35C in all areas. In a time span of ten weeks, Reveal 35C was utilized for 104 CXRs, and was reported to have allowed the same or faster x-ray reading times with improved image quality. Many respondents reported a noticeable increase in confidence during diagnosis, allowing for quicker and more accurate medical intervention. Here are a few of the ways KA Imaging’s Reveal 35C was able to solve the most prevalent obstacles for x-ray in ICU.
Reveal 35C’s Impact In Monitoring Patient Condition
Monitoring patient conditions can involve a series of diverse and complex challenges, both physically and logistically. With its single exposure, dual energy capabilities, Reveal 35C has the potential to streamline the regular operation of x-ray in ICU. Reveal 35C’s portability and flat panel design allows for professional ease-of-use, lessening the logistical burden. Imaging with no motion artifacts reduces the chances of mishaps and the need for re-imaging measures, saving time and cost in the ICU. Integrated with a mobile system, it becomes a complete solution to be used in this environment.
Reveal 35C’s Effectiveness In Monitoring the Location of Medical Devices
The three high-quality images that Reveal 35C produces allow for a more comprehensive view of the problem area, with heightened contrast to enhance the appearance of irregularities, and most of all, foreign objects.
Does Reveal 35C Help Reduce The Risk of Radiation Overexposure?
Reveal 35C can contribute to better radiation management. While other portable x-rays solve the problem of inconvenient patient movement, they are often limited in image quality, forcing extra tests. Reveal 35C’s high DQE – the best in class – makes it efficient in generating high quality images with an optimal dose of radiation. This means that users of Reveal 35C can leverage its portability without driving concern for accumulated radiation exposure or misreading caused by lower quality images.
Reveal 35C As A Solution For Patient Mobility
Reveal 35C has the ability to completely eliminate the need for patient movement when performing x-ray in ICU. Reveal 35C is a portable solution that has excelled in the emergency room and other high-risk areas within the hospital, accurately visualizing the inside of the body with high resolution and image quality.
The Impact on Patient Outcomes
- Diagnosis and Medical Intervention: Reveal 35C was shown to give hospital staff more confidence while making diagnoses, allowing for reduced turn-around times for treatment. This speed of care is extremely important for patients in the ICU.
- Avoiding CT Scans: The study at Grand River Hospital also showed that some cases may have been able to eliminate the need for further CT scanning. This not only benefits hospital costs, but also allows more comfort for the patients themselves. In a CT scan, some patients can experience claustrophobia, anxiety, or simply general discomfort. This has the potential to improve quality of care in certain cases.
- Pneumonia Diagnosis: Reveal 35C, in countless studies, has been shown to excel in pneumonia cases. Reveal 35C was able to detect 33% more cases of pneumonia and COVID-19 than traditional x-ray. Both pneumonia and COVID-19 can be extremely detrimental if treatment is delayed, making early diagnosis critical for patient health and safety.
The innovations brought forth by KA Imaging’s Reveal 35C are set to transform the landscape of ICU practices, addressing longstanding challenges related to patient monitoring, device placement, radiation safety, and mobility. The successful trials at Grand River Hospital demonstrate the device’s ability to improve image quality and speed up diagnosis, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. As healthcare providers continue to seek efficient, effective solutions to enhance care delivery, investing in the Reveal 35C could represent a major step forward in modernizing ICU operations. We invite healthcare professionals and decision-makers to explore the potential of KA Imaging’s technology and discover how it can streamline your imaging processes and improve patient care in your facility. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the future of ICU radiology: Contact us today for a demonstration or more information!
