PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S O'Reilly
AU  - R Spedding
AU  - C Dearden
AU  - M Loane
TI  - Can x rays be accurately interpreted using a low cost telemedicine system?
AID  - 10.1136/emj.15.5.312
DP  - 1998 Sep 01
TA  - Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
PG  - 312--314
VI  - 15
IP  - 5
4099  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/15/5/312.short
4100  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/15/5/312.full
SO  - Arch Emerg Med1998 Sep 01; 15
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the quality of x ray films transmitted via a low cost (low resolution) telemedicine link was satisfactory for clinical diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of a set of consecutive accident and emergency (A&E) radiographs. An A&E registrar viewed these directly on a standard x ray viewing box and via a telemedicine link. RESULTS: There were 81 abnormalities out of 234 x ray films. Three abnormalities were missed both on the x ray viewing box and telemedicine link, one of which was significant. There were five additional abnormalities missed on the telemedicine link but detected on the x ray viewing box, of which two were significant. One normal x ray film was interpreted as abnormal on the telemedicine link. There were no false positives on direct viewing. CONCLUSION: Transference of plain radiographs using a low cost/low resolution telemedicine link by A&E doctors is adequate for clinical interpretation.