Efficacy of portable X-ray in intensive care units and radiation dose considerations

Abstract

Portable (bedside) X-ray examination is one of the most frequently performed diagnostic procedures in intensive care units (ICUs). Critically ill patients — including those on mechanical ventilation, post-operative care, or in hemodynamically unstable states — cannot be safely transported to radiology departments for conventional imaging. As a result, bedside chest radiography accounts for approximately 40–60% of all radiological examinations performed in ICU settings. Despite its widespread use, concerns persist regarding diagnostic image quality, anatomical positioning limitations, and cumulative radiation exposure to patients, nursing staff, and adjacent patients. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the utilization of portable X-ray devices, underscoring the need for rigorous assessment of both their clinical efficacy and radiation safety profile. In Uzbekistan, as ICU infrastructure expands, evidence-based standards for portable radiography remain insufficiently developed.