Optimizing CT imaging for patients with disabilities: A survey on radiation dose reduction and protocol improvements

Computed Tomography (CT) has improved the healthcare, but its reliance on ionizing radiation poses significant radiogenic risks. Mobility, cognitive, and communication issues make CT imaging difficult for disabled patients, reducing image quality and diagnostic accuracy. This study examined adaptive approaches, challenges, and CT imaging processes for disabled patients in Saudi Arabian hospitals. A cross-sectional descriptive survey included CT technologists, radiologists, medical physicists, and nurses with at least a year of CT experience and directly involved in the imaging of disabled patients. A comprehensive questionnaire was developed to assess facility preparation, procedural modifications, challenges, communication methods, and personnel training. Data from 62 medical personnel was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Most participants were radiologic technologists (71 %). 53.2 % consistently employed the adaptive iterative reconstruction dose reduction technique, whereas 17.7 % used fast scanning technique. Radiation dose control was reasonable, with 69.4 % utilizing Auto-mA. Communication methods with disabled patients, including mock CT scans (19.4 %) and visual aids (30.6 %), were underutilized. While 80.6 % of employees said they needed more education, 40.3 % received specialized training. The study revealed that these professionals face significant challenges in their daily work, such as the difficulty in keeping patients motionless and the lack of tailored positioning help. These challenges not only affect the quality of the imaging but also the comfort and well-being of the patients. Staff training is necessary to improve diagnostic outcomes and promote fair healthcare access for disabled people.