Chest radiography practice in critically ill patients: a postal survey in the Netherlands.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To ascertain current chest radiography practice in intensive care units (ICUs) in the Netherlands.

Methods

Postal survey: a questionnaire was sent to all ICUs with > 5 beds suitable for mechanical ventilation; pediatric ICUs were excluded. When an ICU performed daily-routine chest radiographs in any group of patients it was considered to be a "daily-routine chest radiography" ICU.

Results

From the number of ICUs responding, 63% practice a daily-routine strategy, in which chest radiographs are obtained on a daily basis without any specific reason. A daily-routine chest radiography strategy is practiced less frequently in university-affiliated ICUs (50%) as compared to other ICUs (68%), as well as in larger ICUs (> 20 beds, 50%) as compared to smaller ICUs (<

SUBMITTER: Graat ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1557847 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature