Implementation of an international teleradiology staffing model.
Although teleradiology is presently being used extensively in the United States-for both overseas subspecialty consultations and overnight coverage of imaging services at domestic medical centers-there has been limited investigation of its potential to help provide staffing support to U.S. medical centers from offshore locations. In this review, the authors describe an empirical assessment of the clinical feasibility and applicability of body computed tomographic (CT) image cases that originated at a U.S. university hospital being interpreted nearly contemporaneously by a staff radiologist in India. During a 3-month period, nonemergent CT cases obtained at a tertiary care institution (Yale-New Haven Hospital) were transmitted daily to a satellite reading facility in Bangalore, India. The cases were interpreted at the satellite reading facility by a faculty member radiologist who maintained hospital privileges and academic appointment at the parent institution in the United States. CT imaging reports were transcribed and uploaded directly to the parent institution's radiology information system. Technical problems temporarily prevented the transfer of image cases twice during the study period. Overall, the project results demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of an international teleradiology staffing model.
Kalyanpur
Arjun
A
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 789 Howard Ave, TE 2, New Haven, CT 06520-8042, USA. arjun.kalyanpur@yale.edu
Neklesa
Vladimir P
VP
Pham
Daniel T
DT
Forman
Howard P
HP
Stein
Sandra T
ST
Brink
James A
JA
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016494:Computer Security; D003199:Computer Systems; D003219:Confidentiality; D003237:Connecticut; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007391:International Cooperation; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D019112:Teleradiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed