Chest X-ray
Systematic approach
Patient and image data
Patent ID and date
The identity of the patient should be checked before interpreting any X-ray. The date of the investigation should also be noted and even the time is relevant if the patient has had more than one X-ray on the same day.
Image projection
Check if a posterior-anterior (PA) or anterior-posterior (AP) projection was used, and note if the patient was standing, sitting or supine? Was the mobile X-ray machine used?
Image annotations
Useful information is often annotated on the image. If the projection is not marked, it is likely to be a standard PA view. If there is one, check the side marker is correct.
Key points
- Check the patient's identity
- Note the image date and time
- Note the image projection
- The image annotations are often useful
Image annotations
This is a mobile chest X-ray taken with the patient supine, at 11.25am in the resuscitation room of the Emergency Department. The patient's name, ID number and date of birth are annotated.
Note the side marker is correct.