Environmental Designs for Reading from Imaging Workstations: Ergonomic and Architectural Features

Abstract

Despite the rapid progress made in the electronic design of imaging work stations for medicine, much less effort has gone into the design of environments in which such systems will be used. Based on studies of radiologist film reading sessions, considerable time will be spent working at such viewing systems. If the rooms in which the work stations are placed are not conducive to comfortable work, it will certainly not favor electronic viewing over film reading. In examining existing reading environments, it is also apparent that they are not optimal, even for film. Since some of the problems for film and electronic viewing overlap, such as heat generation (by the alternators, viewboxes, or work station electronics) and glare from light sources, it should be possible to develop solutions that are applicable to both environments, or to rooms that will feature both viewing systems. This paper will discuss some of the approaches to designing environments in which viewing of images is supported by the room architecture and engineering, rather than being degraded by it. To illustrate these points a design, based on the constraint of a real room size and available architectural materials, will be developed.

Factors Associated with Repetitive Strain, and Strategies to Reduce Injury Among Breast-Imaging Radiologists

“…As case volumes increase in radiology practices [13,14], it is especially important for radiologists to know how to protect against RSI. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has been publishing guidelines for human interactions with computers since 1988 [6], and several recent publications have endorsed both ergonomic work environments and ergonomic training for RSI prevention [2,4,5,[7][8][9]12,[15][16][17][18][19].…”

User Questionnaire to Evaluate the Radiological Workspace

“…However, the room location is a predetermined parameter and cannot be changed. If the location could still be chosen, it should be near the modalities, exit and oces, as indicated by the respondents on question 30 and also indicated by Horii et al 7 If possible, an outside view should be provided. The room layout and space should be arranged to give privacy for each work station, but still provide room for trac and small conferences/consultations.…”

“…7 Although high ambient lighting is favorable in general working situations, in case of evaluation of radiological images, it can cause light reflections (glare), reducing the quality of the perceived image. Currently, the reading room is mostly operated under low ambient lighting condition to reduce light reflections.…”

“…In our case, the fact that we are a teaching hospital should also be taken into account when determining the working environment. 7 At our department, full digital review has been performed since 2002. After 3 years of operation, an evaluation of the work station was initiated in the last quarter of 2004.…”

Mammography workstation design: effect on mammographer behaviour and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders

“…There is evidence to suggest that decreasing ambient light levels and increasing monitor light levels improves mammographer performance 8,9 . In considering radiology room design various papers recommend implementing PACS workstations with parallel adjacent light boxes, angled adjacent light boxes, and light boxes above the workstation [10][11][12] . However this is for generic radiology workstations and would not meet the specific needs of screening mammography due to the importance of prior mammograms in this particular field.…”