Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai bags Healthcare Asia Awards 2019 for Patient Safety Initiative of the Year

The hospital's knee radiography device reduces need for patients to repeat procedure.

In order to aid patients with physical handicaps or injuries, the Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai developed a pioneering device that helps them receive knee skyline radiography without having to hold on to the cassette. Normally, this procedure requires patients to hold the cassette by themselves. Designed by the hospital's data review staff, the Cassette Holder for Skyline View by Right Angle and Right Shot is a stand with an adjustable holder that can be placed on the x-ray bed. Made from aluminum, it can be tilted to the desired angle to fit the x-ray tube instead of having the patient or officer hold the cassette. For this, Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai won the Healthcare Asia Awards 2019 for Patient Safety Initiative of the Year.

The development of the Cassette Holder for Skyline View by Right Angle and Right Shot began in 2017. Aside from reducing the burden on the patients, it helps reduce the repetition of image capture. Initially, it was found that radiographic angles did not fit. In response, an angle degree measuring device was created to help increase the efficiency of capturing and obtaining accurate X-ray images according to anatomical principles. In 2018, the device was developed by studying the accurate angle and degree used in the arrangement of the device. The appropriate inclination angle of the X-ray tube with preparation of a knee pad to limit knee flexion to 90 degrees as well as the angle measurement device to arrange the right angle of the cassette were also added.

The procedure of using the Cassette Holder for Skyline View by Right Angle and Right Shot requires the patient to sit at the end of the bed with the knee placed on the device and the toes pressed slightly down. The staff arranged the angle of the X-ray tube to be 20 degrees with the horizontal line. The cassette, meanwhile, is arranged at an angle of 110 degrees with the horizontal line. These steps had been used together with collecting statistics and evaluating performance for further improvement.

After much testing, it was found that most technical radiologists had a high level of overall satisfaction with the Cassette Holder for Skyline View by Right Angle and Right Shot. From 2017 to 2018, the percentage of repetition went down from 25.025% to 7.15%, allowing patients to receive knee radiography successfully the first time. Aside from the radiology staff not needing to help in holding the cassette, the amount of radiation exposure was reduced for both patient and staff. The resulting radiographic image was also anatomically correct enabling radiologists to quickly and accurately diagnose patients.

The Healthcare Asia Awards 2019 was held on 23 May 2019 at the Conrad Singapore.

This year's panel of judges includes Abhay Bangi, Partner, Life Sciences & Healthcare Lead, Ernst & Young; Loke Wai Chiong, Executive Director, Healthcare Sector Leader, Deloitte; Zubin Daruwalla, Director, SEAC Health Industries Leader, PwC; Chin Chee Choon, Advisory Leader, Nexia TS; and Willy Leow, Partner, Risk Advisory Services, BDO LLP.

Check out the event photos during the awards night here.

If you would like to join the 2020 awards and be recognised as one of the most outstanding healthcare companies in the region, please email Julie Anne Nunez at [email protected].