Nuclear medicine computing. Where we have been, where we are and where we are going

Demand for the newest and most elaborate Nuclear Medicine equipment is at an all time high. Never has there been more to offer than now with such improvements as large field of view, high resolution, whole-body capability and so on. The dedicated minicomputer systems that are available to go with these latest imaging devices are equally impressive. Still, the headaches associated with putting together a full capability camera/computer system are numerous. Things just do not seem to go together the way they ought to. If we are to truly get the most value out of our new equipment, we must put tremendous work loads on our clinical staff by expecting them to use very awkward and poorly configured systems in which several complicated steps are required to to produce the finished product ready for the reading room. The relatively low usage factor which most clinical Nuclear Medicine computer systems experience is not surprising when we consider the ridiculous way in which these systems are configured. It is time for a little human engineering to be introduced into the design process. Unfortunately, this proliferation of equipment is wasteful of money as well as the operator's time. It would make more sense to consolidate the multitude of displays and controlling elements into a single console which would allow a single operator to perform all necessary data processing operations quickly and interactively.