Digital image communication using a public digital telephone network.

At the University Hospital in Malmö, a project concerning image communication has been started during 1992. At the hospital, the departments principally involved are the Departments of Radiation Physics, Diagnostic Radiology, Medical Technology and Clinical Physiology. The project goal is to develop a system for sending images--with little or no degradation of diagnostic information--during nights and weekends from the X-ray department to the home of an experienced radiologist on duty. The purpose is to shorten the time needed for diagnosis and decisions in acute situations. Up to now this has sometimes required that this radiologist has to turn up at the hospital, which can delay the diagnosis up to 0.5 h.