by
Keith Loria, Reporter | February 04, 2010
X Marks the Spot
An X-ray machine can weigh as much as 1,300 pounds and is almost 6-feet tall, so it can be very frightening to a young child when it comes rolling towards them to take a picture. That's why Mobile X-Ray Solutions, Inc. decided to do something to alleviate some of that fear.
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"No one really had anything and the hospitals wanted something that was friendly for the kids so we designed 'Freddie the Fire Engine' and 'Aquila the Aquarium' AMX-4 Plus portables," says Bill Bentley, President of the Augusta, Ga.-based company. "Children aren't usually afraid of a fire truck so it creates a very friendly environment and it's used in a lot of hospitals."
The company thoroughly rebuilds and upgrades the machines, from the base to the collimator and every component in between to ensure a top quality product built to meet or exceed OEM specifications.
Aquila the Aquarium
AMX-4 Plus portable
X-ray machine (Image courtesy
of Mobile X-Ray Solutions)
"We wanted to make [themes] we could mass produce-we had a giraffe model that wasn't cost prohibitive for us- but these two were the most popular," he says. "Other hospitals have come to us with ideas, and we can do a trademark if we get permission, so we will work with them if they have a theme in mind."
Airwave Equipment
According to Nager, who is also Associate Professor of Pediatrics USC & Keck School of Medicine, all hospitals should have proper airwave equipment for children as it could be a matter of life or death.
"If you don't have the appropriate sized airwave equipment, the most seriously ill children would be in danger and it could be devastating," he says. "When you are talking life saving equipment and airwave support there is a variety of differences. Endotracheal tubes that we put down for kids who need help breathing come in all sorts of sizes. If you are talking about a child with that kind of airwave, it's vital you use the proper size tube or you are left with catastrophic results."
Crash Carts
Even crash carts have been specifically designed for caring for youngsters, with manufacturers adhering to a 9-drawer, color-coded system.
"Pediatric crash carts have a lot more drawers. A normal crash cart may have three drawers but a pediatric crash cart will have nine drawers because there are more things that are necessary for children," says Schwartz. "They are also multicolored so it's easier for the nurses to grab what they need."
