Quality assurance of PACS systems with laser film digitizers

摘要

Abstract: A comprehensive quality assurance (QA) program should be implemented for all teleradiology and picture archival and communications (PACS) systems. In this report we summarize our QA experience with a teleradiology system that includes a laser digitizer for x-ray film. A key component required for the evaluation of laser film scanners is an appropriate test pattern; digitizers should be evaluated with enhanced test patterns specifically designed for this purpose. The phantom pattern should measure high contrast resolution, low contrast discrimination, gray scale linearity, geometric distortion and noise. In addition, a uniformly exposed sheet of film (approx. 0.3 OD) serves as a good phantom for testing screen non- uniformities of viewing-station monitors. It is also suggested that clinical images should be included in a QA program. Finally it is recommended that any discrepancies in the interpretation of teleradiology images should be monitored and investigated. !