Advanced applications of personal computers in the radiologist's office.

The author's department has found various advanced applications for the computer to be useful in daily practice. They use a data-base program to track interesting cases for later retrieval. The program automatically generates an American College of Radiology code based on the body part and diagnosis. The program is also used to track radiographic film quality. A barcode scanner attached to a computer at the film alternator is used to enter the accession number generated by the radiology information system. If any deficiencies are present, they are entered from a preprinted bar-code sheet. The bar-code scanner allows rapid entry of all examinations during the read-out session. Reports generated from the data base have been helpful in identifying and quantifying radiographic examination deficiencies. Department computers are also connected to the campus Ethernet network. This network allows radiologists to electronically verify radiology reports and to conduct electronic literature searches on the computers in their offices.