Comparison of image acquisition and radiologist interpretation times in a diagnostic mammography center

• Published in: Academic radiology Vol. 17; no. 9; p. 1168
• Main Authors: Kuzmiak, Cherie M, Cole, Elodia, Zeng, Donglin, Kim, Eunhee, Koomen, Marcia, Lee, Yeonhee, Pavic, Dag, Pisano, Etta D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2010
• Subjects: Mammography - statistics & numerical data; North Carolina; Observer Variation; Professional Competence - statistics & numerical data; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Radiology - statistics & numerical data; Task Performance and Analysis; Time and Motion Studies; Workflow; X-Ray Film - utilization; North Carolina
• ISSN: 1878-4046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2010.04.018

The purpose of this study was to determine the acquisition and interpretation times of screen-film mammography and soft-copy digital mammography in a diagnostic mammography center. The study was conducted in three phases for patients presenting for clinical diagnostic workup to a mammography clinic. In the first phase, technologist acquisition and processing times and radiologist interpretation time were measured for patients imaged with a screen-film mammographic system. During the second phase of the study, times were measured for patients imaged with a direct radiographic digital mammographic system, with interpretation performed on a soft-copy display system. During the third phase, 3 months after installation of the soft-copy display system, times were measured again for patients imaged on the same direct radiographic digital mammographic system, with interpretation with the same soft-copy system. The same four experienced breast imaging radiologists and seven technologists participated in all phases of the study. All data were entered into a database, and statistical analysis was conducted using weighted linear models and logarithmic transformation. Times were obtained for 295 patients. There were 100 patients each for phases 1 and 2 and 95 patients for phase 3. Diagnostic mammographic acquisition times with processing were 13.02 min/case for screen film (phase 1), 8.16 min/case for digital (phase 2), and 10.66 min/case for digital (phase 3) (P < .001 and P < .0001, respectively). In addition, the radiologist interpretation time for digital mammography in both phases was not significantly different from that for film mammography (P = .2853 and P = .2893, respectively). There was no significant difference between phases 2 and 3 (P = 1.0000). The mean interpretation times were 3.75 min/case for screen film, 2.14 min/case for digital (phase 2), and 2.26 min/case for digital (phase 3). Digital mammography significantly shortened the acquisition time for diagnostic mammography. There was no significant difference in interpretation time compared to screen-film mammography in a diagnostic mammography setting.