Performance characteristics of a multimedia system for clinical data management

This study describes a multimedia, computer-based system developed to record and retrieve clinical images, associated dictated commentaries, and textual and numeric data from patients with cancer or hematologic diseases. Objective performance was analyzed by (1) success rate for data input and retrieval, (2) speed of image retrieval, and (3) quality of stored images. During a 1-year period, 587 diagnostic images were recorded with dictated or typed summaries of pertinent clinical information. Subsequent retrieval of stored data was performed three times (n = 1761) with 100% reliability. The average time for retrieval of random images was 6.4 seconds (SD = 1.7 seconds), including operator time. Image quality was scored by a four-point scale: the average score was 3.58 (SD = 0.5), and all images displayed sufficient quality to represent a wide range of diagnoses. These data demonstrate that multimedia computer technologies can enhance the organization and management of clinical images needed for medical education, clinical trials, and daily care of patients with cancer and hematologic diseases.