Selection of optimal screen-film combination for use in the neonatal intensive care unit

This report describes evaluation of screen-film combinations for use in the newborn intensive care unit. Since most infant population studies are performed using portable techniques, screen-film combination speeds consistent with those techniques were used. The first phase, a phantom study, was evaluated by nine radiologists from three institutions. A surprising degree of uniformity was noted in their selections of the best system, and their overall selection correlated closely with their assessment of resolution. The screen-film combinations that were rated first and second best were then compared in clinical trials. Both supported the preference expressed in the phantom studies, the first choice system consistently selected as best.