Assessment of PACS display systems

Abstract

This work describes our experience in reviewing the performance criteria for display systems and how we have implemented a practical approach to the assessment of the workstation environment in a large tertiary care hospital. The acceptance criteria contained in the draft report of Topic Group 18 of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) were used as a basis for assessment of primary and secondary displays. A telescopic photometer was used to measure the maximum luminance and the contrast ratio of the image for the displays used in our radiology department and in the operating and emergency rooms using the standard Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) pattern, in ambient light and with light decreased as much as possible. About half of the displays met the AAPM criteria for minimum luminance and contrast ratio in low light. None of the systems met the contrast ratio criteria in ambient light. The challenges in improving the performance and calibrating displays are discussed.

Fig 1

The luminance measured on Radiologist Workstation displays.

Fig 2

The contrast ratio measured on the Radiologist Workstation displays: solid bars—low light as used; shaded bars—with room lights on.

Fig 3

The luminance measured on Clinical Workstation displays.

Fig 4

The contrast ratio measured on the Clinical Workstation displays: solid bars—low light as used; shaded bars—with room lights on.

Fig 5

The luminance measured on Processing Workstation displays.

Fig 6

The contrast ratio measured on the Processing Workstations: solid bars—low light as used; shaded bars—with room lights on.

Fig 7

The luminance measured on OR and ER Workstations.

Fig 8

The contrast ratio measured on the OR and ER Workstations: solid bars—low light as used; shaded bars—with room lights on.