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Does PACS improve diagnostic accuracy in chest radiograph interpretations in clinical practice?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hurlen, P; Borthne, A; Dahl, FA; Ostbye, T; Gulbrandsen, P
Published in: Eur J Radiol
January 2012

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) on the diagnostic accuracy of the interpretation of chest radiology examinations in a "real life" radiology setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a period before PACS was introduced to radiologists, when images were still interpreted on film and reported on paper, images and reports were also digitally stored in an image database. The same database was used after the PACS introduction. This provided a unique opportunity to conduct a blinded retrospective study, comparing sensitivity (the main outcome parameter) in the pre and post-PACS periods. We selected 56 digitally stored chest radiograph examinations that were originally read and reported on film, and 66 examinations that were read and reported on screen 2 years after the PACS introduction. Each examination was assigned a random number, and both reports and images were scored independently for pathological findings. The blinded retrospective score for the original reports were then compared with the score for the images (the gold standard). RESULTS: Sensitivity was improved after the PACS introduction. When both certain and uncertain findings were included, this improvement was statistically significant. There were no other statistically significant changes. CONCLUSION: The result is consistent with prospective studies concluding that diagnostic accuracy is at least not reduced after PACS introduction. The sensitivity may even be improved.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Eur J Radiol

DOI

EISSN

1872-7727

Publication Date

January 2012

Volume

81

Issue

1

Start / End Page

173 / 177

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Radiology Information Systems
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Professional Competence
  • Observer Variation
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Norway
  • Middle Aged
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Hurlen, P., Borthne, A., Dahl, F. A., Ostbye, T., & Gulbrandsen, P. (2012). Does PACS improve diagnostic accuracy in chest radiograph interpretations in clinical practice? Eur J Radiol, 81(1), 173–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.08.043
Hurlen, Petter, Arne Borthne, Fredrik A. Dahl, Truls Ostbye, and Pål Gulbrandsen. “Does PACS improve diagnostic accuracy in chest radiograph interpretations in clinical practice?Eur J Radiol 81, no. 1 (January 2012): 173–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.08.043.
Hurlen P, Borthne A, Dahl FA, Ostbye T, Gulbrandsen P. Does PACS improve diagnostic accuracy in chest radiograph interpretations in clinical practice? Eur J Radiol. 2012 Jan;81(1):173–7.
Hurlen, Petter, et al. “Does PACS improve diagnostic accuracy in chest radiograph interpretations in clinical practice?Eur J Radiol, vol. 81, no. 1, Jan. 2012, pp. 173–77. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.08.043.
Hurlen P, Borthne A, Dahl FA, Ostbye T, Gulbrandsen P. Does PACS improve diagnostic accuracy in chest radiograph interpretations in clinical practice? Eur J Radiol. 2012 Jan;81(1):173–177.
Journal cover image

Published In

Eur J Radiol

DOI

EISSN

1872-7727

Publication Date

January 2012

Volume

81

Issue

1

Start / End Page

173 / 177

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Radiology Information Systems
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Professional Competence
  • Observer Variation
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Norway
  • Middle Aged