An assessment of the performance and quality control procedures of PACS workstation monitors used in Irish radiology departments

Cherrie Wade; Patrick C. Brennan; Mark F. Mc Entee

doi:10.1117/12.593954

15 April 2005 An assessment of the performance and quality control procedures of PACS workstation monitors used in Irish radiology departments

Cherrie Wade, Patrick C. Brennan, Mark F. Mc Entee

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5748, Medical Imaging 2005: PACS and Imaging Informatics; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.593954
Event: Medical Imaging, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Diagnostic efficacy in soft-copy reporting relies heavily on the quality of workstation monitors and an investigation performed in 2002 demonstrated that CRT monitors in Dublin imaging departments were not operating at optimal levels. The current work examines the performance of CRTs being used in Dublin and other parts of Ireland to establish if problems reported in the earlier work have been rectified. All hospitals performing soft-copy reporting for general radiology using CRTs were included in the work. Examination of ambient lighting, calibration of monitors and analysis of CRT performance using the SMPTE test pattern and a selection of the AAPM test images was performed. Maximum luminance, spatial uniformity of luminance, temporal luminance stability, gamma, geometry, sharpness, veiling glare and spatial resolution of each monitor was evaluated. Ambient lighting in all reporting areas was within recommended levels. All the monitors were calibrated appropriately and were performing at acceptable levels for maximum luminance and temporal stability and only one of the thirty-three investigated failed to reach the standard for spatial uniformity. In contrast a number of the CRTs investigated showed poor adherence to acceptable levels for geometrical distortions, veiling glare and spatial resolution all of which are important influencers of image quality. Gamma values also appeared to be low for a number of monitors but this interpretation is provisional and subject to the establishment of ratified guideline values. The results demonstrate that although some improvement on the previous situation is evident, greater adherence to acceptable levels is required for certain parameters.

Citation Download Citation

Cherrie Wade, Patrick C. Brennan, and Mark F. Mc Entee "An assessment of the performance and quality control procedures of PACS workstation monitors used in Irish radiology departments", Proc. SPIE 5748, Medical Imaging 2005: PACS and Imaging Informatics, (15 April 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.593954

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