A study conducted by Dr. Mark McEntee of the University of Sydney shows that iPads and other tablets make useful secondary screens for radiologists. He presented his findings at a recent medical imaging conference in San Diego, Calif.
Overview of Findings
Dr. McEntee had eight U.S. board-certified radiologists identify specific conditions such as fractures and intracranial bleeding using iPads and secondary screens. He found the following:
- Secondary screens like iPads performed just as well as traditional LCD monitors. He also discussed how using the images when talking with patients will make for more productive visits.
- He cautioned that secondary monitors are not always a good substitute for high-resolution radiology ones. This is attributed to the resolution of the displays. Radiology displays have a resolution of 508 to 708 dots per inch (dpi). In contrast, iPads have a 130 dpi. Therefore, in some cases, radiologists will not obtain all the needed views to properly diagnose a patient.
- The study raised concerns regarding hospital theft. As the use of tablets in hospitals increase, so does the chance of theft. Dr. McEntee recommends that medical professionals do not store patient data on tablets.
Concluding Thoughts
The study is relatively small, but it does reinforce the importance of testing to ensure all mobile devices meet necessary guidelines. The study also stresses the need for hospitals to have defined policies on when it is appropriate to use a primary or secondary screen. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will likely have oversight as it continues to seek ways to monitor mobile devices.
No comments:
Post a Comment