Analysis of critical report notification from musculoskeletal radiology in a tertiary academic medical institution with a regional trauma center

Purpose

We aimed to analyze the prevalence, causes, and clinical settings of 4-year critical radiologic reports (CRRs) notified from the musculoskeletal section of the radiology department. Then, we investigated the communication outcomes.

Methods

This study was approved by our institutional review board. We retrospectively included 175 musculoskeletal CRRs from our database between January 2017 and December 2020. The CRRs were analyzed by two musculoskeletal radiologists, who categorized the CRRs by clinical setting (emergency department(ED) patient, outpatient, and inpatient), body part, type of image modality, reason for CRR, incidental lesion, and clinical outcome. The clinical outcome was retrieved from the electronic medical records.

Results

The 175 musculoskeletal CRRs accounted for 5.4% of the CRRs (n = 3217) available in the study period. Most CRRs (94.9%, 166/175) corresponded to the musculoskeletal system, while the remaining ones (5.1%, 9/175) corresponded to the non-musculoskeletal system. In addition, the spine, extremities, and thoracic cage accounted for 52.6%, 40.6%, and 1.7% of the musculoskeletal CRRs, respectively. Moreover, most patients presented to the ED (50.3%, 88/175), followed by inpatients (30.9%, 54/175), and outpatients (18.9%, 33/175). The CRR reasons included missed fracture (54.3%), suspected malignancy (16%), clinical emergency (10.3%), unexpected infection/inflammation (11.4%), and others (8%). Furthermore, 11 (6.3%) incidental lesions were not related to the primary imaging purpose. Referring clinicians actively acknowledged 80% of the CRRs. The loss to follow-up action was the highest in the ED patients (35.2%, 31/88; p < 0.001), being significantly higher than that in outpatients (6.1%, 2/33) and inpatients (3.7%, 2/54).

Conclusion

Missed fractures were the most common cause of musculoskeletal CRRs. ED showed prevalence in musculoskeletal CRRs and reflected the highest loss to follow-up action. ED physicians should pay more attention to CRRs to enhance patient care.

Association Between Radiologic Incidental Findings and Resource Utilization in Patients Admitted With Chest Pain in an Urban Medical Center

BACKGROUND

Increasing use of testing among hospitalized patients has resulted in an increase in radiologic incidental findings (IFs), which challenge the provision of high-value care in the hospital setting.

OBJECTIVE

To understand impact of radiologic incidental findings on resource utilization in patients hospitalized with chest pain.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cross sectional study.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients hospitalized with principal diagnosis of chest pain.

MEASUREMENTS

Demographic, imaging, and length of stay (LOS) data were abstracted from the medical charts. We used multiple logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with radiologic IFs and negative binomial regression to evaluate the association between radiologic IFs and LOS.

RESULTS

1811 consecutive admissions with chest pain were analyzed retrospectively over a period of 24 months; 376 patients were included in the study after exclusion criteria were applied and readmissions removed. Of these, 197 patients (52%) had 364 new radiologic IFs on imaging; most IFs were of minor (50%) or moderate clinical significance (42%), with only 7% of major significance. Odds of finding radiologic IFs increased with age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.06) and was associated with a 26% increase in LOS (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.07-1.49).

CONCLUSION

Radiologic IFs were very common among patients hospitalized with chest pain of suspected cardiac origin and independently associated with an increase in the LOS. Interventions to address radiologic IFs may reduce LOS and, thereby, support high-value care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2017;12:323-328.

Assessment of Using 99Mo and 99mTc Isotopes in Kuwait Medical Sector

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in the state of Kuwait currently depends on importing the radioisotope molybdenum (Mo) in its isotopic form (Mo) to fulfill its demands. The present study was conducted on all nuclear medicine departments in the state of Kuwait. Daily, weekly, and monthly data were analyzed to statistically determine the current and future demands for the isotope Tc. This analysis was performed by collecting and analyzing data on MOH consumption of Tc for different diagnostic applications. The overall results indicate a partial decrease of 1.012% in the overall total demand for Tc up to the year 2018 for the state of Kuwait.

Analysis of the last decade of weekend out-of-hours CT imaging: how have things changed?

CT has become an invaluable diagnostic tool. The clinical applications and technological capacity of CT has continued to increase. There is an increasing demand for radiology services including during weekend on-call hours. The objective of this study was to assess the trend in weekend CT imaging requests over a ten-year period form 2001-2010. Electronic data was retrieved from the hospital Radiology Inpatient System. In total 8530 CT scans were performed during weekend on-call hours. Over the decade weekend imaging grew from 466 to 1448 (210.7%) CT examinations. CT brain imaging accounted for 3944 of the total 8530(46%) and this was a 126% increase. A ten-fold, eight-fold and three-fold increase occurred in adult CT thorax, CT pelvis and CT abdominal imaging respectively. These results demonstrate rising demand on radiology services and need to plan for continued future growth. Radiology and emergency departments need to prepare and develop pathways to deal with this projected growth.

Colon imaging in radiology departments in 2008: goodbye to the routine double contrast barium enema

We radiologists are free to choose DCBE or CTC when patients are referred to us for colonic examination. The studies reported during 2007 have confirmed that CTC is more accurate, preferred by patients, with a shorter room time, fewer complications, lower radiation exposure, and reveals therapeutically significant extracolonic lesions in 5% to 10% of cases, so that it is beginning to seem rather irresponsible to continue to offer routine DCBE examinations. In older patients the yield of extracolonic abnormalities is even greater, with 505 abnormalities found in 268 of 400 consecutive patients aged 70 years and older, including 23 extracolonic malignancies. More than 90 Canadian radiology departments have bought the necessary carbon dioxide insufflators, so there is clearly great interest. Many training workshops are available in Europe and the United States to help radiologists become familiar and skilled with CTC, and it will be helpful to have more local ones within Canada over the next few years. Some studies have shown that CTC can be done with poorer results than those I have quoted, and this is often in the early experience of departments. As large numbers of radiologists train, there is the potential for hundreds of errors while experience is being gained. We have the advantage over endoscopists, in that we can train on known data sets. Several institutions have put together sets of 50 complete CTC cases, mixed abnormal and normal, and these are an ideal training tool so that one can make one's mistakes in training rather than on live patients. One such data set is even available with one of the recent textbooks. Would it be useful for the CAR, or provincial radiology associations, to purchase several of these sets, and make them available for an appropriate fee to radiologists who are learning? CTC technologists will necessarily have a role on the workstations, including doing the primary read. Additional budgets will be needed for CTC with a diminution in fluoroscopy budgets as barium enemas are discontinued. Some larger hospitals may reserve a scanner purely for alimentary tract work- perhaps CTC and CT enterography. The essential administrative breakthrough will be to establish either a technical fee for CTC or an appropriate increase in the hospital global budget to allow high-volume CTC to flourish Nationally standards and guidelines will be needed, and if we are to play a major role in screening, where high standards have to be evaluated and maintained, we may need nationally organized individual audit feedback, much as we have with breast screening. Should the known data sets have a role in training for radiologists embarking on screening or in demonstrating continued competence? It is an exciting time once again for radiologists interested in colonic disease. We now know that CTC can be done very well. The challenges are going to be achieving consistency and deciding which of the 6 areas of opportunity described above are our priorities.

Leading radiology services in the age of teleradiology, wikinomics, and online medical information

This article provides trends and discussions on the future of radiology within the broader scope of healthcare leadership, focusing on ideas concerning the next generation of leadership. Clinical and management perspectives, while remaining somewhat aware of healthcare trends outside of radiology that may impact the discipline, must also be attentive to shifts within radiology. Leaders need to pay attention to the factors within the discipline that enliven the prospect of patient-centered care in the age of expanding radiology service. The Internet and teleradiology will be an opportunity for innovative leadership to widen and reshape radiology service to keep pace with larger trends in healthcare delivery, collaboration, and patient self-care.

Enhancing research in academic radiology departments: recommendations of the 2003 Consensus Conference

Opportunities for funded radiologic research are greater than ever, and the amount of federal funding coming to academic radiology departments is increasing. Even so, many medical school-based radiology departments have little or no research funding. Accordingly, a consensus panel was convened to discuss ways to enhance research productivity and broaden the base of research strength in as many academic radiology departments as possible. The consensus panel included radiologists who have leadership roles in some of the most well-funded research departments, radiologists who direct other funded research programs, and radiologists with related expertise. The goals of the consensus panel were to identify the attributes associated with successful research programs and to develop an action plan for radiology research on the basis of these characteristics.

Managing the CT data explosion: initial experiences of archiving volumetric datasets in a mini-PACS

Two image datasets (one thick section dataset and another volumetric dataset) were typically reconstructed from each single CT projection data. The volumetric dataset was stored in a mini-PACS with 271-Gb online and 680-Gb nearline storage and routed to radiologists' workstations, whereas the thick section dataset was stored in the main PACS. Over a 5-month sample period, 278 Gb of CT data (8976 examinations) was stored in the main PACS, and 738 Gb of volumetric datasets (6193 examinations) was stored in the mini-PACS. The volumetric datasets formed 32.8% of total data for all modalities (2.20 Tb) in the main PACS and mini-PACS combined. At the end of this period, the volumetric datasets of 1892 and 5162 examinations were kept online and nearline, respectively. Mini-PACS offers an effective method of archiving every volumetric dataset and delivering it to radiologists.

Swiss teleradiology survey: present situation and future trends

The purpose of this study was to obtain a survey about the present situation including the usage pattern, technical characteristics and the anticipated future of teleradiology in Switzerland. An internet-based questionnaire was made available to all members of the Swiss Society of Radiology. Questions concerning current teleradiology usage, the type of transmitted modalities, the technology employed, security, billing issues and the anticipated future of teleradiology were addressed. One hundred and two (22.67%) of 450 radiologists responded to the survey. Of the total, 41.2% (42) were teleradiology users, 35.3% (36) planned to use teleradiology in the near future and 24.5% (25) did not use or plan to use teleradiology. The mean number of examinations transmitted per month was 198 (range 1-2,000) and the mean distance was 33 km (range 1,250 km). An emergency service was considered the most important purpose (mean score 6.90; minimum 1, maximum 10) for the use of teleradiology, followed by image distribution (mean 6.74) and expert consultation (mean 6.61). The most commonly transmitted modality was computed tomography (mean 8.80), followed by conventional X-rays (8.40) and magnetic resonance imaging (8.32). The most commonly transmitted format was Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) (66.7%), followed by bitmap/Joint Photographic Experts Group (jpg) (38.1%), using the DICOM send/receive protocol (52.4%), followed by the hypertext transfer protocol (26.2%) and e-mail (21.4%). For security a secure connection (54.8%) followed by encryption (14.3%) and anonymization (9.5%) was used. For the future, image distribution was rated the most important aspect of teleradiology (7.88), followed by emergency (7.22) and expert consultation (6.53). Development of legal regulations is considered most important (8.17), followed by data security guidelines (8.15). Most radiologists believe that insurance companies should pay for the costs of teleradiology (37.3%), followed by the radiologist (33.3%). In conclusion, in Switzerland a wide spectrum of teleradiology applications and technologies is in use. Guidelines and reimbursement issues remain to be solved.

Financing a large-scale picture archival and communication system

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

An attempt to finance a large-scale multi-hospital picture archival and communication system (PACS) solely based on cost savings from current film operations is reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A modified Request for Proposal described the technical requirements, PACS architecture, and performance targets. The Request for Proposal was complemented by a set of desired financial goals-the main one being the ability to use film savings to pay for the implementation and operation of the PACS.

RESULTS

Financing of the enterprise-wide PACS was completed through an operating lease agreement including all PACS equipment, implementation, service, and support for an 8-year term, much like a complete outsourcing. Equipment refreshes, both hardware and software, are included. Our agreement also linked the management of the digital imaging operation (PACS) and the traditional film printing, shifting the operational risks of continued printing and costs related to implementation delays to the PACS vendor. An additional optimization step provided the elimination of the negative film budget variances in the beginning of the project when PACS costs tend to be higher than film and film-related expenses.

CONCLUSION

An enterprise-wide PACS has been adopted to achieve clinical workflow improvements and cost savings. PACS financing was solely based on film savings, which included the entire digital solution (PACS) and any residual film printing. These goals were achieved with simultaneous elimination of any over-budget scenarios providing a non-negative cash flow in each year of an 8-year term.

Trends in on-call workload in an academic medical center radiology department 1998-20021

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The workload in radiology departments is increasing rapidly. This study was designed to determine whether and to what extent the workload is being generated outside of traditional working hours (defined as 0800-1700 Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Exam statistics were derived from the radiology department's automated examination scheduling and reporting system for four successive fiscal years. The distribution of the number of studies completed throughout the 24-hour day and the 7-day week was charted.

RESULTS

A large proportion of studies are being completed outside of traditional working hours. Moreover, as the overall workload of the department increased, the proportion of studies being completed during nontraditional working hours was increasing at an even faster pace, particularly in the cross-sectional imaging modalities. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound have increased by 59%, 51%, and 30%, respectively, over 4 years. The on-call proportions have increased from 34% to 40% and 13% to 18% for computed tomography and ultrasound, respectively, over 4 years and from 44% to 50% for magnetic resonance imaging over 3 years.

CONCLUSION

These trends have implications for radiologist and radiology technologist staffing. The department has already modified the scheduling of technologist staffing to provide in-house extended-hours coverage in most modalities. As the number of studies conducted outside of traditional working hours continues to expand and the demand for contemporaneous readings increases, radiologist staffing may need to be adjusted as well. Traditional on-call coverage may be insufficient to competently handle the growing workload. This may have particular implications for radiology residency programs.

MRI: are you playing your system like a fiddle or a Stradivarius? Where we are headed and how to keep up

Dr. Raymond Damadian performed the first human magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in 1977. Unveiled from behind the research curtain, MRI technology was introduced to the clinical environment by the mid 1980s. Most academic and largehospitals lined up right away and purchased their first scanners as soon as they became available. The race began, and the MRI learning process at radiology departments all over the world started. As with any growing technology, came a surge of competition--manufacturers as well as imaging facilities. MRI technology flooded the medical community, since it provided enormous benefits for patients and doctors. It was like a rocket launching with scientists and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) researching, creating and contributing to the advancement of clinical science and forever improved diagnoses. Radiologists at UCLA predict that most of today's procedures currently falling under research will flourish in the clinical setting within the next 5 years. The rise of PET technology and the ability to fuse metabolic images with an anatomical MRI map will undoubtedly prove invaluable for staging of pathology, treatment planning and tracking, especially when the disease is present within soft tissue, like the brain. Another sign that MRI is a healthy addition to medical imaging is the increasing number of MRI reimbursement codes. However, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies are also scrutinizing more and paying less today than they did yesterday. There will always be certain myths about how bigger is always better. That's not to say system enhancements and advancements are not essential to medical imaging, but the needs and budgets differ for each facility. Regardless of site needs or budget, it is imperative that all facilities utilize the equipment they have to their maximum potential. The new "bells and whistles" might not be needed to stay competitive. Innovative technology continues to be available as long as there is a need. However, buying bigger and better doesn't always mean you will utilize what's been bought to its full potential.

The future of hospital-based radiological imaging

Radiologic imaging has made dramatic progress over the last decades. The authors analyse all areas of current radiological imaging including conventional radiology, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine. Future opportunities and challenges regarding the subsequent development of imaging in general and radiology in particular are highlighted. Thus, the authors seek answers to questions such as: Will there be a need for radiologists? Will imaging become too costly? Possible remedies are suggested.

PACS developments in Europe

Although the concept of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) was developed in Europe during the latter part of the 1970s, no working system was completed at that time. The first PACS implementations took place in the United States in the early 1980s, e.g. at Pennsylvania University, UCLA, and Kansas City University. Some more or less successful PACS developments also took place in Europe in the 1980s, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Scandinavia, and Germany. Most systems could be characterized by their focus on a single department, such as radiology or nuclear medicine. European hospital-wide PACS with high visibility evolved in the early 1990s in London (Hammersmith Hospital) and Vienna (SMZO). These were followed during the latter part of the 1990s by approximately 10-20 PACS installations in each of the major industrialized countries of Europe. Wide-area PACS covering several health care institutions in a region are now in the process of being implemented in a number of European countries. Because of limitations of space, some countries, for i.e. Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Greece, as well as Eastern European countries, etc. could not be appropriately represented in this paper.

PACS development in Asia

First, history of PACS in Japan from 1982 to 2002 has been investigated. By 2002 total of 1468 PACS units have been installed. Of these, 1174 are small-size PACS with less than four image display terminals, 203 are medium-size with 5-14 terminals, and 91 are large-size with 15 up to 1300 terminals. The main nine large-size PACS of 91 have been retrospectively investigated from 1984 for PACS experiments and from 1989 for PACS operation. Most of these nine hospitals have increased the number of PACS terminals by installing additional PACS units, instead of reinforcing the existing single PACS. The use of DICOM interfaces has increased the number of modalities connected to PACS and influenced the spreading of PACS installations in Japan. The status of HIS and RIS coupling to PACS, and the use of PACS in primary diagnosis or in image referral are discussed. Assessment of PACS is now in an early stage. Baseline studies of HIS/RIS/PACS effectiveness have been carried out to assess quantitatively the PACS merit. Second, history of PACS development in Korea is described. Very acute climbing up of filmless PACS diffusion was observed from 2000 to 2002. The reasons seem to be lack of domestic X-ray film industry, economic crisis in 1997 and PACS Reimbursement Act in health insurance in Korea. Third, the Hong Kong Wide Area Image Distribution/PACS Project is reported. It is now under phase 1 of design and partial implementation employing the latest and the highest ends of advanced technology such as failure resilience.

New realities shape future radiology delivery models

Unlike many changes taking place in diagnostic imaging, the movement to find alternative reading sites is not primarily technology driven. The technology necessary to accomplish remote reading has been available for more than 20 years. The relatively recent enhancement of such technology has made remote reading much more practical and more clinically reliable than in the past. Indeed, without these upgrades, remote reading would be impossible. However, the real impetus for its use comes from the unprecedented staffing shortages taking place in radiology today. How bad is the shortage? Projections by U.S. Radiology Partners (USRP) show that even if radiologists practiced until they were 70 years old, and volumes remained at current levels, it would still take five years for supply to come into line with demand. Given current trends, the shortage can be expected to continue for another eight to 10 years at a minimum. Necessity therefore obliges hospitals to rethink old assumptions. One of these assumptions concerns remote reading. This alternative has been available for at least 10 years, but rarely has been embraced by hospitals. The key to successful radiology management and delivery today is to link staff with technology strategically. There are several steps necessary to creating a proactive staffing and reading system in tune with today's market. These include: establish a professional network, assess your technology needs, assess your clinical needs, include referral staff in the process, establish clear standards, encourage interaction with remote physicians, communicate with patients and involve technologists.

[University clinics as centers of radiologic performance alliances in the ambulatory and inpatient sector]

PROBLEM

Health care delivery in Germany has to face severe challenges that will lead to a closer integration of services for in- and out-patients. University hospitals play an important role due to their activities in research, education and health care delivery. They are requested to promote and evaluate new means and ways for health care delivery.

METHODS

The Institute of Clinical Radiology at the University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University started teleradiological services for hospitals and general practices in January 1999 in the framework of the "Imaging services--teleradiological center of excellence". Legal, technical and organizational prerequisites were analyzed.

RESULTS

Networks between university hospitals and general practices are not likely to solve all future problems. They will, however, increase the availability of the knowledge of experts even in rural areas and contribute to a quality ensured health care at the patients home. Future developments may lead to international co-operations and such services may be available to patients abroad.

CONCLUSION

Legal, technical and organizational obstacles have to be overcome to create a framework for high quality telemedical applications. University hospitals will play an important role in promoting and evaluating teleradiological services.

How has imaging of the head, neck and spine changed over 5 years in a district general hospital?

BACKGROUND

Over recent years, MRI has become the imaging modality of choice for examination of the head, neck and spine.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to compare the clinical benefit of CT with MRI for children being investigated at a district general hospital. Secondary outcome measures were the change in amount of and indications for imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective case note review of two 1-year periods. Clinical benefit was determined according to the diagnostic ability of the investigation. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.

RESULTS

In 1992-1993 (period I) there were 74 CT scans, (40 boys, median age 3.4 years, range 0-18.0 years). In 1996-1997 (period II) there were 104 scans (50 CT, 54 MRI; 49 boys, median age 6.2 years, range 0.2-16.7 years). Imaging increased by 40% between the two periods. MRI gave enhanced clinical benefit over CT (P<0.02). Within period II, indications for CT differed from MRI (P<0.01). For CT there was no change in indications or rate of diagnosis between the two periods (P>0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI improves clinical benefit over CT. Imaging increased over 5 years with different indications for CT and MRI.

[Digitalization of radiological imaging information and consequences for patient care in the hospital ]

Determining the rate at which radiology must be digitalised has been a controversial issue for many years. Much radiological information is still obtained from the film-screen combination (X-rays) with all of its known inherent restrictions. The importance of imaging information in the healthcare process continues to increase for both radiologists and referring physicians, and the ongoing developments in information technology means that it is possible to integrate imaging information and electronic patient files. The healthcare process can only become more effective and efficient when the appropriate information is in the right place at the right time, something that conventional methods, using photos that need to be physically moved, can scarcely satisfy. There is also a desire for integration with information obtained from nuclear medicine, pathology and endoscopy, and eventually of all stand-alone data systems with relevance for the individually oriented hospital healthcare. The transition from a conventional to a digital process is complex; it is accompanied by the transition from a data-oriented to a process-oriented system. Many years have already been invested in the integration of information systems and the development of digital systems within radiology, the current performance of which is such that many hospitals are considering the digitalisation process or are already implementing parts of it.

The efficacy of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) method in a radiological department. Comparison with non-CQI control material

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of continuous quality improvement (CQI) compared to ordinary management in an on-duty radiology department.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Because of complaints regarding delivery of on-duty radiological services, an improvement was initiated simultaneously at two hospitals, at the HUCH (Helsinki University Central Hospital) utilising the CQI-method, and at the OUH (Oulu University Hospital) with a traditional management process. For the CQI project, a team was formed to evaluate the process with flow-charts, cause and effect diagrams, Pareto analysis and control charts. Interventions to improve the process were based on the results of these analyses.

RESULTS

The team at the HUCH implemented the following changes: A radiologist was added to the evening shift between 15:00-22:00 and a radiographer was moved from the morning shift to 15:00-22:00. A clear improvement was achieved in the turn-around time, but in the follow-up some of the gains were lost. Only minimal changes were achieved at the OUH, where the intervention was based on traditional management processes.

CONCLUSION

CQI was an effective method for improving the quality of performance of a radiology department compared with ordinary management methods, but some of this improvement may be subsequently lost without a continuous measurement system.

Impact of managed care on scholarly activity and patient care: case study of 12 academic radiology and radiation oncology departments

Six departments of radiology and six departments of radiation oncology from areas with low, medium, or high managed care penetration were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to address the impact of managed care on research and scholarly activity. Information, when available, was taken from fiscal years 1993 and 1998. Questionnaires were followed by site visits to the 12 departments. The study showed that departments with medium to high managed care penetration reported more dissatisfaction in their ability to remain active in their education and research goals. Results indicated that for the period surveyed, the departments needed to increase clinical time to make up for decreasing patient care revenues. In turn, this has reduced the time and money devoted to scholarly activities. Information from this study will be used to develop a trends database for all U.S. radiology and radiation oncology departments. This, together with a more comprehensive study by the RSNA, will assist in measuring the current and potential long-term impact of managed care and other system changes on the practice of radiology and radiation oncology.

Leaders of the PACS in radiology. Clinical imaging technology helps hospitals enhance accuracy, savings, service

The image of radiology is changing rapidly. Hospitals are chucking the old light boxes and plugging in high-performance, filmless clinical image networks that not only enhance the accuracy of diagnoses but also cut long-term costs and improve service to referring physicians.