Bedside chest radiography: diagnostic efficacy.

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Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy of bedside chest radiography, a prospective study was completed of 140 patients admitted to the surgical and medical intensive care units over a 2-mo. period. A total of 1132 consecutive bedside radiographs was analyzed for malposition tubes and lines and interval changes in the cardiopulmonary findings. The median number of bedside radiographs/patient was 0.7/day. Endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes were present in 54% of all examinations; among these 12% were malpositioned. Central venous catheters were present in 47%; among these 9% were malpositioned. Interval changes regarding cardiopulmonary findings(pneumothorax, collapse, diffuse or focal infiltrate, effusion and congestive heart failure) were present in 44% of the radiographs after the admission one. Overall, there were new findings or changes affecting the patient''s management present in 65% of the radiographs. The use of bedside radiography appeared to be appropriate.

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