Mobile Solution App for Infectious Endocarditis PET CT preparation: an evaluation of the challenges and solutions

Objectives: Cardiac PET CT in inflammatory conditions are increasingly being used as part of the diagnostic imaging repertoire. A routine problem in PET-CT preparation is the need for decreased glucose uptake of the myocardium. Modification of diet three days before 18-FDG PET CT is mandatory for adequate suppression and increase in accuracy. Under the auspices of data science professionals and nuclear medicine specialists, we are developing in SDK IONIC4 language for Android systems a mobile app capable of recording and informing the user which and how much food the patient should ingest for three days prior to the examination. After installing on smartphones, the application must be tested for failures and security. In this context, it will be evaluated by simulated data the fulfillment of usability and information protection criteria.

Methods: Among the many advantages of a cardiac imaging mobile app are augmented accessibility, better patient convenience, and more efficient information delivery. These features increase the value for the patient and institution. Despite these advantages, mobile apps present many challenges like the need for a regular update, different platforms, and language barriers. In this work, we would like to discuss some of these challenges and suggested solutions.

Results: We created a multidisciplinary group to develop the app. First, we discussed the clinical need and possible solutions. After that, we selected the best approach for programming the app. We choose SDK IONIC because it is a multiplatform language and allows to program in Android and IOS too. Following this, we discussed the design to increase accessibility and to create a friendly environment. The implementation of mobile software is now occurring and has the potential to make clinical routines more practical and accessible to hospital staff and patients. The app is capable of informing, supporting and comforting the users and to save time in the explanation of the PET CT procedure and the critical issues in patient preparation. The adoption of this technology could offer practicality, the democratization of access and could provide quality indicators for the nuclear medicine department.

Conclusions: The development of imaging mobile apps can provide improvements in the resolution of daily tasks since smartphones and tablets are accessed by almost all health users. However, care and caution regarding data security prior to clinical use is imperative. Here we share and discuss our experiences, challenges, and solutions about this new field in nuclear medicine.