Radiologists' productivity in the interpretation of CT scans: a comparison of PACS with conventional film.
OBJECTIVE
We compared radiologists' times in the interpretation of CT using hardcopy films with the interpretation using a soft-copy picture archiving and communication system (PACS) computer workstation.


METHODS
One hundred CT examinations were selected at random and reviewed by four board-certified radiologists experienced in soft-copy interpretation. We performed time-motion analysis to determine the total time required to display, interpret, and dictate the individual findings of CT using conventional hard-copy interpretation on a viewbox and soft-copy interpretation, using a four-monitor high-resolution (2048 x 1536 pixel) workstation.


RESULTS
Time-motion analysis showed a reduction of 16.2% in the overall time required for soft-copy interpretation of CT compared with that of film. Time savings with soft-copy interpretation were observed for all four participating radiologists. The benefit of soft-copy interpretation was increased for examinations in which there were comparison studies.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that soft-copy interpretation of CT using a PACS workstation requires less time than interpretation using conventional film hung on a viewbox. The transition to filmless imaging has the potential to improve radiologists' productivity and report-turnaround time.
Department of Radiology, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, 10 N. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
B I
BI
Reiner
E L
EL
Siegel
F J
FJ
Hooper
S
S
Pomerantz
A
A
Dahlke
D
D
Rallis
D004526:Efficiency; D006801:Humans; D011871:Radiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*