The Ideal Radiology Suite

Abstract

Designing and maintaining a radiology suite that is frequently used by ICU patients requires dedicated input and planning from radiology and intensive care staff. Ideally the radiology suite provides similar access to the patient and monitoring as the Intensive Care Unit. There are many factors to consider in the safe transfer and management of a critically ill patient In the radiology suite including the remote and unfamiliar location, provision of medical gases, use of transfer equipment and adequate patient monitoring. There are also patient specific factors such as duration of the procedure, temperature of the room, manual handling and access to the patient to be considered during the examination procedure. Patients are critically ill and may need to be resuscitated and stabilized unexpectedly during the examination and so resuscitation equipment and drugs stored in the radiology suite must be available and checked daily.