Ultrafast networks (ATM): first clinical experiences.

Ultrafast networks using asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology can provide the bandwidth and throughput that may be sufficient to satisfy the medical imaging community. Several trials are underway to assess the effect of ATM network capabilities on the clinical practice of radiology, by providing immediate interactive radiology consultations between subspecialists and general radiologists at affiliated academic institutions. The hardware to build such networks is now commercially available and its cost is decreasing steadily, but the monthly charges for ATM bandwidth use are still high. Nevertheless, given the tremendous increase in communication capability and data transfer rates possible with ATM networks, cost alone should not be the determining factor for selecting this technology. The ATM concept in general is first reviewed, followed by a description of early clinical ATM network installation in four medical environments worldwide. These medical clusters include: the UCLA affiliated hospitals (UCLA Medical Center, West LA VAMC and Olive-View UCLA Medical Center), the UCSF affiliated hospitals, Duke University Hospitals and a cluster of medical centers in Berlin which have all been connected via ATM networks. The use of ATM technology in these realistic clinical environments is discussed and evaluated for its potential impact on patient care and clinical teaching within radiology departments. From this preliminary study it is concluded that image communications over a regional PACS using an ATM network can allow interactive consultations between different subspecialist and general radiologists or other specialized radiologists spread over different medical centers.