An evaluation of a high resolution closed-circuit television link in a hospital radiology department

Abstract

We have installed and developed a high resolution closed-circuit television system for transmission of radiographic film images from the emergency room in our hospital to the reading room in our radiology department. Using this system, the radiologist can consult promptly on all films and he has increased efficiency. To transmit high detail images, our television system uses a high resolution vidicon camera with a scan rate of 1029 lines and with a limiting resolution of 1200 TV lines. To further increase the overall diagnostic value of our system, we have added remote controls for changing the magnification, illumination and position of the film. In a preliminary clinical trial, seven radiologists were each shown 27 patient film sets transmitted through the television system and then viewed directly on a conventional view box. An analysis of variance of the accuracy rates in each method showed a statistical difference in methods. Even though the error rate was slightly higher using closed-circuit system, radiologist performance was of acceptable accuracy when considering the advantages of the system. In addition, many of the factors reducing the TV system performance have been eliminated or controlled, and further experiments should reflect an even smaller difference between the two methods.