Image display in the operating room: eliminating the barriers in the transition to filmless radiology

As hospitals endeavor to transition from film-based radioloogy to electronic or filmless radiology, one limitation is an effective means for accessing the electronic image archive during surgical procedures. The dependency on using reference images during surgical procedures is a critical function. Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, TX, has been progressively moving toward an electronic paradigm for access to medical information. As the radiology department began to eliminate film as a medium for image presentation and image archiving, it was realized that the hospital needed to provide an electronic solution for the display of images in the operating room (OR) as reference during the surgical procedure. The goals in this project were, therefore, multifold: provide electronic access to images and image files directly within the operating suites, eliminate lost films, and reduced delays caused by lost or unavailable films. The end solution utilized the same Web-based software for all devices, but varied the hardware to meet the individual's or group's needs. The success in this project was not contained to cost savings in radiology, which was realized by reducing film library personnel and eliminating films printed specifically for the surgical environment, but also in greater magnitude for the hospital in improving efficiency of the OR support staff and by directly stimulating a reduction in the average OR time needed for the surgical procedures.