A COMPUTER-BASED REPORTING SYSTEM IN RADIOLOGY OF THE CHEST

The aim of this study was to compare our computer-aided report writing system to standard techniques. A computer-aided reporting system for reporting on chest X-rays was developed and linked with a UNIX-based r adiology information system. The reporting system consists of differen t text modules which can be composed to a complete radiological report . The quality of the report, the system's efficiency, flexibility and availability at the radiology information system (RIS), as well as its acceptance by the users, were criteria we took as a basis of evaluati on. Acceptance and flexibility of the system were tested by assessing necessary changes and additions performed to text modules and by subje ctive evaluation. The rime spent on working with the reporting system was evaluated by performing a time-analysis study comparing the new sy stem to the two conventional methods, the tape system and handwriting. On average, the readers needed 22.6 text modules for each report. For the users the most important advantages of the new system are that pr imarily fewer changes to or additions to the text are necessary, and w hen they cannot be avoided they can be performed more easily. In compa rison with the tape system and handwritten reports, it took on average two and a half to three times longer to report on a chest X-ray. The printed report had left the department within 6.4 h using the tape sys tem within 0.4 h when handwritten and within 1.4 h when recorded by th e reporting system, The completeness of the set of modules and the log ical order were positively assessed by the users. The demand of time f or reporting increases, but the final report is available sooner.