The Changing Face of Clinical Practice: The Digital Revolution

Abstract

The clinical practice of diagnostic imaging has been profoundly affected by the digital revolution. The Baltimore V A Medical Center has the longest experience with filmless rJdiology in the United States and has functioned as a demonstration site and clinical laboratory for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the evaluation of the impact of lilmless radiology. The PACS has been used as a tool to redesign workflow, image acquisition, display, and processing. These changes have resulted in major improvement.. in patient care and have changed the practice of diagnostic imaging in a number of interesting and in many cases, unexpected ways.