Abstract
At the University of Tokyo Hospital, centralization of cardiovascular, abdominal, and thyroid ultrasound examinations was completed in 2006, and all these examinations have been performed in the Department of Laboratory Medicine. Simultaneously, an online ultrasound image work-system (EchoAgent, TOSHIBA Medical Systems Corporation) was launched so that important ultrasound data can be archived and reviewed, and reports can be created easily. Merits: The merits of this system are as follows: 1) The number of ultrasound examinations increased steadily year by year, 2) patient management became much more efficient, 3) use of old media such as videotapes and papers could be abolished, and 4) clinical research studies were promoted. Problems: Initially, problems requiring solutions were as follows: 1) Slow processing speed, 2) lack of a search function and statistical function, and 3) inability to review movie files on PC for medical use. Of the above three problems, 2) and 3) have been solved. Although the processing speed has been greatly improved, it is still a problem. Furthermore, the cost of maintenance and system updates is now a significant problem requiring a solution.
