title: Performing chest x-rays at inspiration in uncooperative children: the effect of exercises with a training program for radiology technicians.
abstract: Objective. It is difficult to acquire a chest X-ray of a crying infant at maximum inspiration. A computer program was developed for technician training. Method. Video clips of 3 babies were used and the moment of deepest inspiration was determined in the single-frame view. 12 technicians simulated chest radiographs at normal video speed by pushing a button. The computer program stopped the video and calculated the period of time to the optimal instant for a chest X-ray. Demonstration software can be tested at website online. Every technician simulated 10 chest X-rays for each of the 3 video clips. The technicians then spent 40 minutes practicing performing chest X-rays at optimal inspiration. The test was repeated after 5, 20, and 40 minutes of practice. Results. 6 participants showed a significant improvement after exercises (collective 1). Deviation from the optimal instant for taking an X-ray at inspiration decreased from 0.39 to 0.22 s after 40 min of practice. 6 technicians showed no significant improvement (collective 2). Deviation decreased from a low starting value of 0.25 s to 0.21 s. Conclusion. The tested computer program improves the ability of radiology technicians to take a chest X-ray at optimal inspiration in a crying child.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical Mission Hospital, Salvatorstr. 7, 97067 Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Heinz-Jakob
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1716-6480
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Langen
authors.affiliation: Department for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Mission Hospital, Salvatorstr. 7, 97067 Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kohlhauser-Vollmuth
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical Mission Hospital, Salvatorstr. 7, 97067 Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sengenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical Mission Hospital, Salvatorstr. 7, 97067 Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bielmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical Mission Hospital, Salvatorstr. 7, 97067 Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jocher
authors.affiliation: Department of Nucelarmedicine, Marienhospital Stuttgart, Böheimstr. 37, 70199 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eschmann