An assessment of a computerized reporting system (SIREP)

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Medical Imaging
• Health Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Traditional radiological reporting relies on manual methods.
• Assessing new technologies is crucial for improving efficiency in radiology departments.
• The Bristol Royal Infirmary implemented a computerized system to evaluate reporting processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prototype of a computerized radiological reporting system (SIREP).
• To assess the system's impact on reporting efficiency, departmental workflow, and radiologist acceptance.
• To determine the technical aspects, reliability, and overall benefit of the SIREP system.

Main Methods:

• A prototype computerized radiological reporting system (SIREP) was installed and evaluated.
• Radiologists interacted with a touch-sensitive screen displaying slides of relevant words and phrases.
• Reporting sequences and times were compared with conventional methods, focusing on normal versus abnormal cases.

Main Results:

• The SIREP system was mechanically reliable and fast, with a maximum slide transit time of three seconds.
• Secretaries could save an estimated 64 minutes of typing daily for 100 reports.
• Radiologists experienced a 63-minute increase in reporting time, particularly for abnormal findings, and found reporting abnormalities more effortful.

Conclusions:

• The SIREP system directly impacted radiologists and secretaries but offered no overall cost or time savings in the UK context.
• Radiologists found the system simple to operate but preferred traditional methods due to increased effort and time for abnormal case reporting.
• Further development is needed to realize the potential benefits of computerized reporting systems in clinical practice.