Acceptance of digital image distribution in a "filmless hospital"

Abstract

Since October 1996 a hospital-wide digital image distribution has been added to the PACS of the central radiology department in the Barmherzigen Brüder hospital in Regensburg. In this way an almost film-less procedure has been realized in the hospital. An extensive questioning of the non-radiology physicians is intended to determine the strengths and weakness of the digital image distribution and the general acceptance of the system. The installed system consists of the PACS of the radiology department and 50 image distribution work stations in all outpatient departments, wards, and operating theaters. 78.8% of the non-radiology physicians of the main departments participated in the study. The acceptance by the participants was highly positive; 90% of them experienced a facilitation of the routine work. The digital image distribution is also accepted by non-radiology physicians and makes a major contribution to the improvement of procedures in clinical routine.