Floriana Zennaro, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sergio Demarini, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gabriele Cont MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pierpaolo Guastalla MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca Vittoria, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Manuel Belgrano, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Luca Odoni MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Valentina dicarlo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniela Dibello, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giuliano Barbo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Antonella Steinbock, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniele Grosso PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marzia Lazzerini PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

This was a prospective controlled study with the objective of evaluating the impact of teleradiology using iPad in two different emergency contexts in a tertiary care children hospital: an orthopaedic on-call service, and a newborn intensive care department with complex pathologies and young doctors supported by more senior staff.

Radiologic examinations were sent anonymously to an iPad using an encrypted system, Aycan OsiriX Pro, to allow remote consultation from specialists on call. Orthopaedics and senior neonatologists received two sets of information subsequently - the written report from the radiologist (Phase I) and the X-ray image through the iPad (Phase II) Their decisions on case management during Phase 1 and Phase 2 were recorded blindly in a database and compared. The primary outcome of the study was any relevant change in decisions on case management. Other outcomes included: time needed for decision-making; technical difficulties; quality of the images and diagnostic confidence using iPad compared to a dedicated PACS (on a Likert scale from 1 to 10).

During the period September 2013 to December 2013, 111 radiological exams were sent with teleradiology using an iPad. In 21 (36%) of neonatology cases and in 16 (38%) of orthopaedic cases the approach on patient treatment was changed by the availability of the X-ray image via the iPad (p=0.01; p< 001). Technical difficulties occurred in 15/111 (13.5%) of cases, and were mainly due to a slow down in the internet line. Average time for decision making including time for image transmission was 11.3 minutes (range 3 to 42). There was not a statistically significant difference in quality of images neither in diagnostic confidence using iPad compared to the dedicated PACS.

Teleradiology through Aycan OsiriX PRO and iPad should be considered as a mean for providing the X-ray image for remote consultation to orthopaedics and neonatologists on call, for its potential of optimising case-management. Future studies could further explore the impact of teleradiology on cost of health care.

This study supports the use of teleradiology through Aycan OsiriX PRO and iPad for allowing remote consultation to orthopaedics and neonatologist on call, for its potential of optimising case-management.

Zennaro, F, Demarini, S, Cont, G, Guastalla, P, Vittoria, F, Belgrano, M, Odoni, L, dicarlo, V, Dibello, D, Barbo, G, Steinbock, A, Grosso, D, Lazzerini, M, Teleradiology through iPad May Positively Affects the Quality of Health Care in a Paediatric Children Hospital.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14018518.html