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Assessment of PACS display systems
John E Aldrich1, John D Rutledge
1Department of Radiology, Vancouver Hospital, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada. john.aldrich@vch.ca
Journal of Digital Imaging
|August 12, 2005
Summary
Display system performance in a hospital was assessed using American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) criteria. Many displays failed contrast standards in ambient light, highlighting challenges in medical imaging display calibration.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiology Imaging Technology
- Display System Performance Evaluation
Background:
- Effective medical imaging relies on high-performance display systems.
- Workstation environment assessment is crucial in tertiary care hospitals.
- Standardized performance criteria ensure diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and implement performance criteria for medical display systems.
- To assess the workstation environment in a large tertiary care hospital.
- To evaluate primary and secondary displays against established standards.
Main Methods:
- Utilized draft criteria from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Topic Group 18.
- Employed a telescopic photometer for luminance and contrast ratio measurements.
- Tested displays using the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) pattern under varying light conditions.
Main Results:
- Approximately 50% of displays met AAPM minimum luminance and contrast criteria in low light.
- No systems met the contrast ratio criteria under ambient light conditions.
- Significant challenges exist in display performance improvement and calibration.
Conclusions:
- Current medical display systems often fall short of established performance benchmarks, particularly in ambient lighting.
- The study highlights the need for improved display calibration and adherence to AAPM standards.
- Optimizing display performance is critical for reliable medical image interpretation.