How to set up a mobile X-ray unit in the community - Implementation initiatives for patient-centred care

Mobile X-ray unit have previously been widely used within hospitals in general, predominately for imaging patients admitted to intensive care units or for patients who cannot tolerate a visit to the radiology department. It is now possible to have an X-ray examination outside the hospital in nursing homes or to bring the service to frail, vulnerable or disabled patients. A visit to the hospital can be a frightening experience for vulnerable patients living with dementia or other neurological disorder. It can potentially have a long-term impact on the patient's recovery or behaviour. This technical note aimed to provide insight into the planning and running of a mobile X-ray unit in a Danish setting.

This technical note draws on the lived experiences of radiographers operating and managing a mobile X-ray service, sharing experiences with the implementation process and the challenges and successes of a mobile X-ray unit.

Successes include that frail patient, especially those with dementia, benefit from mobile X-ray examinations, as they can remain in familiar surroundings during an X-ray procedure. In general, patients experienced an increased quality of life and less need for sedation medication due to anxiety. Also, working within a mobile X-ray unit is meaningful work for radiographers. Challenges included increased physicality of work, the funding required for the mobile unit, planning a communication strategy to the referring general practitioners, and permission from authorities to perform mobile examinations.

We have successfully implemented a mobile radiography unit that provides a better service for vulnerable patients through learning from successes and challenges.

The mobile radiography setup can benefit vulnerable patients and provide meaningful work for the radiographers. However, transportation of mobile radiography equipment outside the hospital includes many considerations and challenges.