PATIENT

POSITIONING
AIDS

Purpose of PPA
The patient positioning aid
will allow persons with
disabilities access to
medical imaging devices
such as MRI and CAT scan.

Purpose of PPA
Patients with disorders such
as Parkinsons disease,
diabetes, renal failure, and
heart failure will benefit from
use of this device in clinical
settings. Such a device is
needed because current
positioning aids do not meet
th e needs of most patients

Purpose of PPA
The patient positioning aid will
allow for patients to imaged in
various positions using various
medical imaging platforms. The
optimal design of the positioning
aid will be low-cost and easy to
use for patients and medical staff
alike. It will also be easy to store
with the limited amounts of
storage area most hospitals have

PATIENT
POSITIONING AIDS

1.Positioning Pads
2.Sandbags
3.Flour Bags
4.Compression Band
5.Water Bottle
6.Polystyrene Blocks

1.) Positioning Pads

Aid in maintaining patient position.
Must be radiolucent.
Each x-ray room should have a range
of pad sizes and shapes.
Sets of firm foam pads are available
from manufacturers ( usually
polyethylene ).
May be improvised using other
materials but must be checked for
radiolucency.

Routine Care:
Try to minimise the risk of
contamination by: contrast media,
plaster of Paris, blood, urine.
Inspect and wash regularly.
Do not use for any other purpose.
Preferable to cover with waterproof
radiolucent material or removable
cotton covers or both.

POSITIONING PAD TESTS

VISUAL
TESTS

X-RAY TEST

VISUAL TESTS
Frequency of test:
1. Weekly

1. As necessary
.Equipment required:
. Pads to be inspected.

 Inspect for:
1. Likelihood of contamination.
2. General cleanliness.
3. Shape.
4. Smell.
5. Particles breaking off.
6. Firmness.

 Evaluation
1. Unhygienic?
2. Likelihood of
contamination by radio
opaque substances?
3. Shape, firmness, general
deterioration?

 Action
1. Wash and re-test if
necessary.
2. If there is likelihood of
contamination with radio
opaque substance then carry
out the x-ray test.
3. If pad has deteriorated to
extent that it is ineffective,
replace it.

X-RAY TESTS
Frequency of test:
1. 6 monthly
2. As necessary
. Equipment required:
1. X-ray unit
2. Pads to
be tested
3. Lead marker
4. Loaded
cassettes

 Method
1. Place loaded cassette on
tabletop face up.
2. Place pad on cassette
(ensure that cassette is big
enough to cover whole pad).
3. Set a FFD(SID) of 100 cm.
4. Collimate to cover the pad.

5. Place marker in one corner of

X-ray field (note which corner
of pad it relates to).
6. Set an exposure of 50 kV and 6
mAs.
7. Expose.
8. Process the film.
. Evaluation: Look for radio
opaque shadows within the
pad.

 Action
1. If radiopaque shadows are
detected, wash and dry the pad.
Re-test.
2. If opacities are still seen, replace
pad.
3. Continued use of pad may be
considered if it is identified as
having radiopaque material and
not used where it might show on
the films.
4. File a report.

OTHER
POSITIONING
AIDS

2.) Sandbags
These are radiopaque.
They should have
waterproof or removable
cotton or linen covers
that must be washed
regularly.

3.) Flour bags

Similar to
sandbags but are
radiolucent.
They mould to
different shapes
more readily, but
are not as heavy
as sandbags.

4.) Compression Bands

a piece of
material used
either to support a
medical device
such as a dressing
or splint or on its
own to provide
support to or to
restrict the
movement of a part
of the body.

Routine Care
If linen, detach from end fixing
mechanisms and wash as
necessary.
If plastic, simply wipe over with
a damp cloth.
Inspect and check ratchet and
fixing mechanisms 6monthly or
as necessary.
Test band for radiopaque

5.) Water bottle

Empty fixer or
developer bottles
full of water are
useful as cassette
supports or in
weight bearing
views of a/c
joints. Water is
relatively opaque.

Routine Care

Wipe over outside of

bottle with a damp cloth
as necessary.
Ensure that lid is on
tightly and that bottle
does not leak.

6. Polystyrene
Blocks
a synthetic
thermoplastic material
obtained by
polymerizing styrene;
used as a white rigid
foam (expanded
polystyrene) for
insulating and packing
and as a glasslike
material in light fittings
and water tanks

7.) Polystyrene chips

The same
with
Polystyrene
Blocks

8.) Cardboard boxes

9.) Wooden blocks

10.) Folded blankets

GROUP 4
Montecalvo, Maria Monica
Pacete, Aldea Alezza
Parasdas, Chariza Laiza
Pasaquian, Niel Justine
Pequiro, Dielle Frances
Perez, Vanessa
Portillo, Joni Emri