E. Siegel et al., The filmless radiology reading room: A survey of established picture archiving and communication system sites, J DIGIT IM, 13(2), 2000, pp. 22-23
The purpose of this study was to survey radiologists experienced in soft-co
py diagnosis using computer workstations about their current reading room e
nvironment, their impressions of the efficacy of their reading room design,
and their recommendations based on their experience for improvement of the
soft-copy reading environment. Surveys were obtained from radiologists at
seven sites representing three major picture archiving and communication sy
stem (PACS) vendors throughout the world that have had extensive experience
with soft-copy interpretation of radiology studies. The radiologists fille
d out a detailed survey, which was designed to assess their current reading
room environment and to provide them with the opportunity to make suggesti
ons about improvement of the PACS reading rooms. The survey data were enter
ed into a database and results were correlated with multiple parameters, in
cluding experience with PACS, types of modalities interpreted on the system
, and number of years of experience in radiology. The factors judged to be
most important in promoting radiologist productivity were room lighting, mo
nitor number, and monitor brightness. Almost all of the radiologists indica
ted that their lighting source was from overhead rather than indirect or po
rtable light sources. Approximately half indicated they had the capability
of dimming the brightness of the overhead lighting. Most radiologists indic
ated that they-were able to adjust room temperature but that they did not h
ave individual temperature controls at their workstations. The radiologists
indicated that the most troublesome sources of noise included background n
oise, other radiologists, and clinicians much more than noise from computer
monitors, technologists, or patients. Most radiologists did not have chair
s that could recline or arm rests. Most did have wheels and the capability
to swivel, both of which were judged important. The majority of chairs also
had lumbar support, which was also seen to be important. Radiologists comm
only adjusted room lighting and their reading chair, but rarely adjusted ro
om temperature or monitor brightness. The median number of hours spent at t
he workstation before taken a "break" was 1.5. Common recommendations to im
prove the room layout included compartmentalization of the reading room and
availability of the hospital/radiology information system at each workstat
ion. The survey data suggest several areas of potential improvement based o
n radiologists' experience. Optimization of soft-copy reading room design i
s likely to result in decreased fatigue and increased productivity. Copyrig
ht (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.