When is a Portable chest X-ray performed at the patient's bedside?

A portable chest x-ray is performed at the patient's bedside when the patient is too ill to come to the radiology department. The image obtained is usually sub-optimal, but often good enough to show infections in the lung fields. You will not get a very accurate image of the patient's heart however. This is best performed in the department. Note that the safe distance for others around the patient's bedside is about 2 meters away, so visitors and walking well other patients are often asked to leave if they are in the close vicinity.