Improved teleradiology reporting using fax software

In an effort to expedite after-hours teleradiology reports in an efficient and accurate manner with minimal usage of manpower, we have for the past 4 years used commercially available fax software running on a laptop computer placed beside the home-based teleradiology system. The software and laptop combination allows the radiologist to make a report rapidly by typing brief sentences in a fillable field or by selecting an applicable pretyped report from a menu. The report is then electronically faxed to single or multiple sites with a single mouse click.

The system has drastically reduced the number of telephone calls between technologists and teleradiologists and has been well received by both technologists and emergency department staff and referring physicians.