Top tips for radiologists reading at home
HEALTHCARE 3 min read
There are different types of home reading in radiology. Some radiologists only occasionally perform reporting of exams, such as in case of emergencies for example. Others have one or more fixed days in the week dedicated to working at home. And some rads even work at home full-time. In whichever category you may fall, there’s a big chance that nowadays, you’re working at home way more than you’re used to. We’ve listed up some tips & tricks for home reading below!
1. Take time to find the perfect setup
Ergonomics and productivity are closely related, so the first thing you need to do is take a broader look at the entire room you’re working in. Where are the light sources in the room? Are they in the right place, or will they disturb you? Are you sitting in a chair that’s adjusted to your posture and is your screen at the right height?
In short: treat yourself and create a comfortable space. Find some more general, handy home working tips here!
Some radiology displays have an Ambient Light Sensor that gives a warning when your environment becomes too bright.
2. Make sure you have a good internet connection
When you’re processing a high volume of heavy files such as medical exams, nothing is more annoying than the internet saying ‘no’. So make sure you have a good internet connection, and make arrangements with housemates who like watching Netflix or streaming online games.
3. Ensure security & privacy
If you’re not sure about this, check with your hospital’s IT department how the patient records you’re using are shared with your home office. For instance, most organizations make use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a similar secured connection, which allows you to easily and safely access the hospital network. A VPN connection will often also allow more fluent processing of large images.
4. Double-check quality & compliance
Nowadays, calibration and compliance checks can be tackled from a distance. Software exists, such as our QAWeb Enterprise, that allows QC staff to keep track of all PACS workstations connected to a medical organization – regardless whether they're onsite or connected remotely.
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5. Don't give up on performance and workflow
Of course, you’ll need a medical-grade diagnostic display at home to read your images. International guidelines describe a number of requirements that need to be fulfilled for reading images in a reliable way. Download our ebook on these requirements here. And enjoy excellent image quality at home with our range of diagnostic displays!
Still, there’s absolutely no need to invest in a heavy desktop computer to read at home. Simple solutions exist that easily allow you to connect your laptop to your diagnostic display, without losing image quality or access to workflow tools.
Interested in our home reading solution? Click here to learn more.
6. Take breaks and exercise!
Okay, you probably saw this one coming. Drink enough water and set a mental alarm for stiff muscles or stinging eyes. That means it’s more than time to open the windows, let in some fresh air and get your blood flowing by taking a little walk or doing some stretching exercises!
