Clinic application of Epub of medical imaging film in CT workflow.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of the Epub of medical imaging film (EMIF) in CT workflow. METHODS: All experiments were approved by the ethics committee of the local district. An EMIF application is fully implemented in PACS according to the DICOM 3.0 standard. For a statistical comparison in the effects of the EMIF in CT workflow, consecutive 50,000 CT hardcopy film prints have been randomly selected before and after the EMIF application in PACS, respectively. The role of the EMIF in the application of hardcopy films, the clinic practice, the integrality of the quality control data archived in PACS/RIS and so on is investigated. RESULTS: For consecutive 50,000 CT hardcopy films before vs. after the EMIF application respectively, the counts of wasted films are 21 vs. 14 sheets due to the hardware problem, 28 vs. 0 sheets owing to operation errors, and 24 vs. 0 sheets caused by serious defects in image layout. Reissuing films for lost films and other special needs is 60 vs. 55 sheets. The average reissuing film time for each case is 16.97±6.14 vs. 4.36±1.26 min (t=5.94, p<0.01). The EMIF application has offered more convenience for medical viewing and reviewing, and has enhanced the integrality of the quality control data archived in PACS/RIS (χ2=320.835, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EMIF application in clinical healthcare can help enhance the function of PACS/RIS, and improve the quality and efficiency in CT routine work.