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Can x rays be accurately interpreted using a low cost telemedicine system?
S O'Reilly1, R Spedding, C Dearden
1Accident and Emergency Department, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast.
Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
|October 24, 1998
Summary
Low-cost telemedicine links adequately transmit x-ray films for accident and emergency (A&E) diagnosis. Radiograph quality via these systems is sufficient for clinical interpretation by A&E doctors.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Telemedicine
- Radiography
Background:
- Telemedicine offers potential for remote diagnostic services.
- Assessing the diagnostic quality of medical images transmitted via telemedicine is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adequacy of low-cost, low-resolution telemedicine links for interpreting accident and emergency (A&E) radiographs.
- To compare diagnostic accuracy of x-ray films viewed directly versus via telemedicine.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of consecutive A&E radiographs.
- Comparison of interpretations by an A&E registrar viewing films directly and through a telemedicine link.
Main Results:
- Out of 234 films, 81 abnormalities were present. Three abnormalities were missed on both viewing methods. Five additional abnormalities were missed on telemedicine but detected directly, including two significant ones.
- One false positive occurred with telemedicine viewing; no false positives occurred with direct viewing.
Conclusions:
- Low-cost, low-resolution telemedicine is adequate for the clinical interpretation of plain radiographs by A&E doctors.
- The quality of transmitted x-ray films is satisfactory for diagnosis in an A&E setting.