Impact of filmless radiology on frequency of clinician consultations with radiologists

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of filmless operation on the relative frequency of in-person consultations in the radi ology department between radiologists and clinicians. CONCLUSION. The transition to filmless operation at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center was associated with an 82% reduction in the in-perso n consultation rate for general radiography and a 44% reduction for cross-s ectional imaging despite an increase in the volume of studies. The major re ason for this decrease was the convenient access to current and prior image s provided by the PACS (picture archiving and communication system). Radiol ogy departments contemplating a transition to filmless operation should pre pare for communication with clinicians to shift from being mostly in person to being conducted more and more through electronic forms of communication .