AN IMAGE CAPTURE AND COMMUNICATION-SYSTEM FOR EMERGENCY COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY

An image capture and communication system for emergency computed tomog raphy (CT) is presented. The system, named ICCS, integrates CT scanner s, personal computers (PC), network systems, an IBM API gateway and an IBM mainframe platform. The ICCS was implemented in the emergency uni t in the Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH) and has received c onsiderable support from the doctors, nurses and staff of the TCVGH em ergency unit who have shown great interest in ICCS. This is because IC CS allows physicians in the emergency unit to examine patients' images on image viewing stations immediately after the patients are CT scann ed. It also makes remote consultation possible for doctors who can sta y where they are and consult with radiologists through the system and a hot line without leaving the emergency unit. This advantage greatly reduces the consultation time and saves many unnecessary trips between the emergency unit and the Department of Radiology. Copyright (C) 199 7 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.