[Teleradiology for emergency cranial computed tomography]

We report our experience with the teleradiologic service provided by a center hospital (CH) for emergency cranial computed tomography (CCT) in two regional hospitals (RH) during a 12-month period. The clinical and economic impact of teleradiology will be discussed as well as the acceptance by the clinicians of the regional hospitals.

In 2001, 213 CT-scans in 202 patients were performed and reported using teleradiology. Teleradiologic and final medical diagnosis were analysed by the medical reports. The transfer of the patients to a CH and their further treatment were checked. The referring physicians in the RH were asked to complete a questionnaire about the teleradiological support.

18 (9 %) patients had to be urgently transferred to a CH based on the CT findings in the teleradiological reports. 24 patients (11 %) were transferred to a center hospital during further treatment. 80 % of patients were treated in the RH.

CT data transfer is reliable and efficient. Teleradiology reduces costs by avoiding unnecessary transport of patients for diagnostic procedures. Teleradiology improves patient management by reducing time from admittance to decide about further treatment. Teleradiology enables rapid selection of the best-equipped center hospital for the management of the patient's disease. Teleradiology is well accepted by the physicians in the RH. In the RH, teleradiology has become an indispensable standard procedure in the emergency diagnostic workup of cerebral trauma patients and in patients with acute unclear neurological symptoms.