Tottori University Hospital

Mr. Eijiro Yamashita, Chief radiological technologist of Department of clinical radiology

Unify characteristics and environment of the monitor

For streamline operation from image detection to reading

Tottori University Hospital, which provides highly advanced medical care as a special functioning hospital, is designated as a disaster base hospital and works a central role in regional medical care. JVC (former TOTOKU) monitors has been continuously used in the hospital since 2003, and in January 2020, a total amount of 275 monitors including "i3 series" of 2 megapixel 21.3” color monitor CL-S200 and 3 megapixel 21.3” color monitor CL-S300 have been installed. This time, we interviewed Mr. Eijiro Yamashita, the chief radiological technologist of Department of clinical radiology, about the background and the effectiveness of the installation.

Background of installation

Satisfied with quick support and high-quality monitor

The installation of JVC monitors this time owed to the long-standing trust. Since we started the hospital information system in 2003, JVC (former TOTOKU) monitors have been used. We are satisfied because there were almost no problems and the technical support can be provided promptly. In addition, quality assurance and calibration are appropriate, and we haven’t felt any decrease in brightness.

Currently, the monitors are installed in radiography rooms, image reading rooms, examination rooms, and other medical departments that require diagnostic imaging. The main use is for image reading, but it is also used for the console in which a radiological technologist confirms whether the images such as general radiography, MRI, and CT are taken correctly. Since it is impossible to check the details on a general IT monitor, we decided to install JVC's high-definition medical monitors and are satisfied with the image quality.

Installed System

CL-S300 with the dualstand

● 2 megapixel 21.3” color monitor CL-S200 214 units
● 3 megapixel 21.3” color monitor CL-S300 61 units

All those monitors include 46 sets (32 sets of CL-S200, 14 sets of CL-S300) with two screens installed on one dualstand as the right picture. Besides, Tottori University Hospital centrally manages and operates the performance monitoring software, “PM Medivisor”, not only for new monitors but also the old ones.

● The stylish design harmonizes with modality device and in-hospital environment.
●Dynamic Gamma function (Patent No. 6277984) recognizes color images automatically to provide optimized contrast, brightness and gamma. No user intervention is required.
● A variety of built-in sensors contribute to higher image quality and control power saving.
● Utilizing its unique X, Y, Z, color level tracking and color management technologies, each i3 model perfectly color-matches one another.

Effectiveness of installation

Easy to build a comparative reading environment by two screens with the dualstand

In order to build an effective comparative reading environment, we have selected to use two screens with the dualstand. Because displaying two images on each screen provides a better visibility than dividing one screen into several areas to display two scaled down images. The comparison is crucial for diagnostic imaging, not only between the past and the present, but also among cross-sectional pictures taken by CT and MRI from many different angles. Consequently, two screens are very useful to compare images in the same environment.

JVC monitors can display the high-definition images in full screen without blurring especially in mammography as the full-screen display is helpful to confirm more details.

Additionally, the dualstand becomes smaller, making more room for working space than two monitors with normal stands. Also, when performing a comparative reading the two screens can be moved together to easily adjust positions and improve the efficiency.

The new design of the "i3 series" monitors has also met with a favorable reception, providing a film-like visual perception without feeling the depth between the bezel and the LCD.

Quality management for display characteristics without individual differences

As a criterion for selecting a monitor, we emphasize few individual differences in display characteristics. When radiological technologists take pictures with various devices, if the characteristics of monitors on those devices are different from monitors for console, image reading or other systems, it will confuse doctors to interpret. In this case, which one should be a standard to be matched with other ones is an issue. Therefore, we selected JVC monitors owing to no individual differences in display characteristics. This is also a reason why we trust JVC.

Utilizing schedule tasks for quality assurance

Centrally managing quality control information and operating status

In order to maintain the quality of monitors, we are using the function of schedule tasks of the QA testing software ”QA Medivisor Agent” to perform the daily test at a set time every morning. In addition, since about 400 monitors in the hospital are used with different frequency, it is more significant to introduce performance monitoring software “PM Medivisor” which can centrally manage operating hours of each monitor.

User’s profile

Tottori University Hospital provides highly advanced medical care as a special functioning hospital in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture. With the establishment of Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, a new medical organization has been constructed that medical workers in different departments can team up and the latest advanced medicine has also been introduced. As a base for doctor-helicopter Tottori University Hospital provides emergency medical services which cover wide regions since 2018. It also collaborates with other hospitals, medical, nursing and welfare service-related institutions, aiming for a top-level hospital and making efforts for medical treatment, education, and research.

http://www2.hosp.med.tottori-u.ac.jp/en/