The allure is great. To be able to view films on the floors is a "killer app." Apparently, we'll even be able to see the images from the comfort of the office, or at home. Perhaps we'll noever have to go through the file romm again searching out the "lost film" that we know was just taken. The system will be backed up continuously from a remote location.
However, all is not as rosy as it would seem. One thought that comes to mind is how we're going to be able to function in a power outage. My guess is that unless our X-ray vision glasses arrive, we'll be out of luck- at least for the duration of the blackout. Pretty soon, none of the radiology techs will even remember how to remember film, and the equipment won't be around anyway.
The other issue is for films for the surgeons. For many operations, from the fractured leg X-ray for the orthopedist, to the head CT for the neurosurgeon, to the angiogram for the vascular surgeon, there is no substitute for having the film available. In this current environment of preventing "wrong site surgery," this risk is just too big to take. And the list could go on and on as there really is no excuse for not having the appropriate imaging in the OR for the procedure. In our environment of less invasive procedures, we're even more reliant on our radiology imaging.
The plan is to bring a cart with a double monitor setup to the OR for the procedure. I'm not really sure how the surgeon is supposed to control the computer to see the film, and remain sterile. Perhaps a sterile mouse? (Just kidding!) Also, most CT's and angiograms are more films than will easily fit on even a dual monitor setup. There are also issues of what if the network traffic is slow, or someone kicks out the plug of the setup. Several of my colleagues are up in arms, and plan to bring their patients to radiology offices that still print films that they can put up in the OR.
Stay tuned to see how this all turns out. In my mind, it's real hard to improve on having a printed film up on the lightbox in the OR. While the allure of new technology is great, sometimes a simpler and lower tech solution is the way to go. When people's lives and well being are at stake, we should definitely adhere to simplicity.
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2 comments:
Having a backround in Radiology, Digital Imaging, and computers, I think I can lend a unique perspective.
Most hospitals I've been to that made the switch, have a way to print the images either on paper like a photagraph, or on standard film, as they have been doing with CAT scan, MRI, Ultrasound, and Nuclear medicine. This is needed because not all doctors have access to the Hospital's systems.
The power failure senario is moot because any crittical system like that would be on emegency power, such as a UPS/generator combo. the same holds true for the cart, It should have the UPS on the cart so as to negate the kicked plug.
Just my two cents...
Thanks for your comments.
The plan is to not print any films which is my concern.
The last time we had a major power outage, I was trying to insert an IV by the light of a flashlight that the nurse ws holding so I don't give this much hope.
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