Primary interpretation of ICU radiographs via soft-copy display

If softcopy display systems are to be used for primary interpretation, there are a number of problems, in addition to image quality issues, that must be addressed. In order to evaluate these issues in a clinical setting, a system was developed to allow chest radiologists to routinely utilize softcopy displays in the interpretation of images from selected intensive care units. Computed radiography studies were acquired, stored on high-speed disk systems, and made available for review on high-resolution softcopy displays. Images from relevant prior studies were made available for comparison. Links to the department's radiology information system were established to provide routine access to corollary information, including reports from related examinations. The initial results of this experiment are encouraging, but a number of problems and pitfalls were identified which must be addressed in the design of future systems.