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Medical Imaging During Intensive Care Unit ( Icu )

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Introduction
Medical Imaging in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) possesses several challenges, all of which have the potential to affect image quality and diagnostic accuracy (1). The purpose of the case study is to assess the main issues presented in the case, discuss the principles of patient positioning, and compare theory with practice.

First of all, since the patient is in a slightly oblique position, he needs to be straightened and moved up the bed. It is important to move the patient into an upright position so that optimal AP chest X-rays could be obtained (2). In addition, the patient is unconscious and he is not able to cooperate with the examination. He weighs 145kg and the nurse looking after him refuses to help because she is pregnant. Therefore, manual handling would be needed and it should be performed properly to reduce the risk of back injury of staffs (3). Besides, the patient is mechanically ventilated, therefore the positioning should be performed carefully to avoid displacing monitoring devices(2). Meanwhile, it is also important to move the external portions of lines and catheters above the clavicles and off the patient if possible (2). By doing so, artifacts would be less likely to cover disease and cause confusion (1). Moreover, the patient is MRSA positive. Infections with MRSA may increase morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs in ICU patients (4). Therefore, it is important to improve infection control within ICU and hospital-wide screening and

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