Multi-institutional analysis of computed and direct radiography: part I. Technologist productivity.

Purpose: To assess whether it is feasible to measure and compare work-flow times across institutional variations, and to apply such a comparison to technologist productivity in the performance of general radiographic examinations with computed radiography (CR) and direct radiography (DR).

Materials And Methods: The study received internal review board exemption. Participants were informed about the study and willingly participated.

Multi-institutional analysis of computed and direct radiography: part II. Economic analysis.

Purpose: To compare economic aspects of equipment configurations, productivity levels, and patient waiting times in the performance of computed radiography (CR) and direct radiography (DR).

Materials And Methods: The study received internal review board exemption status, without the need for informed patient consent. Data from four study sites were used to calculate the CR-DR crossover point (defined as the point at which the cost-effectiveness of DR equals that of CR) and CR-DR annual cost differentials.

Surgical quality assurance in the Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Decompression Trial (IONDT).

The purpose of this article is to report the methods and results of the surgical quality assurance program associated with the Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Decompression Trial (IONDT). A surgical quality assurance committee developed and implemented a quality assurance program for a randomized clinical trial requiring surgical intervention. A surgical technique questionnaire was administered at two times during the study course, and maintenance of surgeon certification required submission and approval of a masked videotape of an optic nerve sheath decompression surgery by each study surgeon.

Accuracy of interpretation of CT scans: comparing PACS monitor displays and hard-copy images.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in the interpretation of CT scans using a computer workstation in comparison with using film.

Materials And Methods: Four board-certified radiologists with extensive soft-copy experience interpreted 117 CT scans in four anatomic regions using films displayed on an alternator and images displayed on a four-monitor workstation. The radiologists were asked to interpret the scans in their usual fashion and were aware that both the time required to review the study and the accuracy of the reports were being assessed.

Health effects and biological monitoring results of Gulf War veterans exposed to depleted uranium.

A small group of Gulf War veterans have retained fragments of depleted uranium (DU) shrapnel, the long-term health consequences of which are undetermined. We evaluated the clinical health effects of DU exposure in Gulf War veterans compared with nonexposed Gulf War veterans. History and follow-up medical examinations were performed on 29 exposed veterans and 38 nonexposed veterans.