Prototype system for timely image distribution in support of a cardiology outpatient clinic

In order to allow radiographs to be in two locations at once without the waste of duplicating each film, a commercially available sheet film digitizer and an image storage and display system were combined with a custom-tailored fiber-optic clinical imaging network, which was installed throughout a research hospital. The clinical trials indicate that it appears to be technically feasible to transmit high quality images with high efficiency, in order to provide a clinical impression of cardiopulmonary status. Clinical applicability of the teleradiology system was very good overall. Excellent visibility of the principal features discernable in a chest film was demonstrated. Limited visibility was afforded of some of the signs of congestive heart failure. The clinical applicability of electronic image distribution and display within the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic, utilizing the current 8-bit digitizer, is summarized