The filmless radiology reading room: A survey of established picture archiving and communication system sites

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.