title: Conversion to use of digital chest images for surveillance of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung).
abstract: To protect the health of active U.S. underground coal miners, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a mandate to carry out surveillance for coal workers' pneumoconiosis, commonly known as Black Lung (PHS 2001). This is accomplished by reviewing chest x-ray films obtained from miners at approximately 5-year intervals in approved x-ray acquisition facilities around the country. Currently, digital chest images are not accepted. Because most chest x-rays are now obtained in digital format, NIOSH is redesigning the surveillance program to accept and manage digital x-rays. This paper highlights the functional and security requirements for a digital image management system for a surveillance program. It also identifies the operational differences between a digital imaging surveillance network and a clinical Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS) or teleradiology system.
authors: Betty A
authors: BA
authors: Levine
authors: Mary Lou
authors: ML
authors: Ingeholm
authors: Fred
authors: F
authors: Prior
authors: Seong K
authors: SK
authors: Mun
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Freedman
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Weissman
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Attfield
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Wolfe
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Petsonk
mesh_terms: D055008:Anthracosis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003032:Coal Mining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003201:Computers; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology