[Workflow improvement and efficiency gain with near total digitalization of a radiology department]. / Workflowverbesserung und Effizienzsteigerungsaspekte durch nahezu vollständige Digitalisierung einer Röntgenabteilung.

PURPOSE: To determine the temporal changes of the workflow caused by digitalization of the radiology department after installation of digital luminescence-radiography (DLR), a radiology information system (RIS) and picture archiving and communication system (PACS) at the Missionsärztliche Klinik in April 2000. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a comparative study, a workflow analysis by manual registration of different work steps was performed before (1999) and after (2001) digitalization of a radiology department. RESULTS: The digitalization shortened the examination time for patients from a mean of 8 min to 5 min. The time the patient is absent from the emergency room did not change. Reporting radiographic examinations including comparison with previous studies begins earlier from a mean of 2 h 37 min to 17 min. Using PACS, 85.9 % of all cases could be interpreted on the day of the examination (without PACS 41.2 %) and 87.2 % of the reports were completed the day after the examination (without PACS 64.5 %). No time differences were found between reading conventional studies on the monitor or as soft-copy. CONCLUSION: Compared to conventional film-screen systems, complete digitalization of a radiology department is time saving at nearly all steps of the workflow, with expected positive effects on the workflow quality of the entire hospital.

[Use of lyophilized cellulose in peripheral nerve lesions with loss of substance]. / Uso da celulose liofilizada em lesões de nervos periféricos com perda de substância.

Lyophilized cellulose was analysed to verify the degree of inflammatory reaction and axon realignment in the sciatic nerve after loss of neural substance. Ten mongrel dogs were divided into: Group 1 - 1 cm section of sciatic nerve which was replaced at lesion site; Group 2 nerve section without fragment replacement. The section site was involved with lyophilized cellulose. Group 3 -1 cm fragment section sutured epineurally. Motor response started at eighth week. Moderate fibrotic reaction to cellulose was seen in Group 1 and 2 animals. Groups 1 and 3 showed coaptation between the nerve and nerve graft with ongoing axons. In Group 2, 1 dog showed regrowth of axons through the empty space. It was concluded that lyophilized cellulose caused moderate fibrous reaction when implanted in peripheral nerve lesions with loss of substance; it can act as envelop protection in those lesions mainly if a neural graft is inserted.

[Possibilities for the use of a device to measure pressure distribution in anthropometric and orthopedic assessment of foot data]. / Einsatzmöglichkeiten eines Druckverteilungsmessgerätes zur anthropometrischen und orthopädischen Fussdatenerfassung.

Based on a quantitative registered picture of the pressure-distribution under the human foot sole the evaluation of anthropometric sizes is described and compared with usual methods. A sectorial evaluation of the pressure-distribution including an analysis of weight, area, maximum pressure and average pressure in the different sectors is reported. It is discussed, how this standardizable method can support an orthopedic diagnosis using static and dynamic pictures of the pressure-distribution of the foot.