Assessing patient comfort with flat-top radiation oncology palette vs. standard PET/CT table in PET/CT

Objectives Patient comfort is known to impact patient motion and potentially image quality with modalities that require lengthy imaging times. PET/CT imaging routinely requires imaging times greater than 20 minutes. We assessed patient comfort comparing the standard bed with the flat-top radiation oncology palette (RT bed) in PET/CT. Routinely acquiring PET/CT images with the RT bed has the potential for avoiding repeat scanning for therapy planning. Our goal is to objectively evaluate differences in comfort level related to scanning on different beds.

Methods 118 patients volunteered to participate in this evaluation over a one month period in an ongoing study. A patient satisfaction survey was developed using a modified Wong-Baker faces pain scale. Questions regarding the overall table comfort and select body areas of arms, legs, back, and head were interspersed among procedural questions. Patients were randomly scanned on either the conventional or RT bed. Patients completed the survey at the time of departure from the PET/CT facility.

Results Matched assessments are included in this study, 59 with each bed. The pain scale was reviewed for overall table comfort as well as for the specific body area comfort. The RT table was determined to be more uncomfortable than the conventional bed in all areas surveyed. The most uncomfortable body area surveyed with the largest comfort difference between the beds was the arms.

Conclusions The flat-top radiation oncology palette is less comfortable during PET/CT scanning than the conventional PET/CT table. Further studies should help identify the causes of discomfort and potentially lead to comfort improvements.