The American College of Radiology Education Adds Optimally Designed Workspace For Radiologist Education

In conjunction with The American College of Radiology (ACR) in Reston, VA, Evolve Technologies, Salem, NH, and Redrick Technologies, London, Ontario are pleased to announce the launching of a joint project, "Optimizing The Radiologists Work Environment". Radiologists attending the ACR Education Center in Reston can now experience the benefits of an optimized reading environment first-hand. "Optimizing the Radiologists Work Environment" was developed to be an integral part of the ACR continuing education series. The project includes both practical hands-on experience and continuing education on all the elements needed to develop and use a properly designed work environment. The project demonstrates how an optimized reading environment enhances the interpretative process, both in terms of productivity and diagnostic accuracy, and, significantly reduces the Radiologist's exposure to computer related injuries including eye, hand, wrist, neck and back problems.

"We have been providing reading room concept designs and work zone configurations for the past several years with very good outcomes" said Glenn Coppinger, President of Evolve Technologies. "It has been extremely challenging, however, to get quality one on one time with Radiologists in their work environment. An important part of what we do is training the physician on, not only proper component use, but also important behavioral changes. We turned to the ACR who provides a state of the art education facility and curriculum on better management of data sets and viewing environments. We felt our piece was a logical and important extension".

"Optimizing the Radiologists Work Environment" is the result of collaboration between Evolve, Redrick, and the ACR, and includes many contributors in their respective areas of expertise including radiology workflow, ergonomics, workstation furniture, sound attenuation, lighting, flooring, and computer technology including displays and input devices. Education in all these areas, and many more, will be delivered on line through the project web site and through supplemental collateral material. The web site, www.comfort4rads.com, is scheduled to be launched first quarter 2010. Additionally, representatives will periodically be on site to conduct demonstrations and consultations.

The ACR Education Center is an ideal place to allow radiologists to experience the latest developments in ergonomics, furniture, monitors and input devices said Ronald E. Freedman, Assistant Executive Director of the ACR. We have well over 1,000 radiologists attending courses at the Education Center each year. The Optimizing the Radiologists Work Environment project will give each of them the opportunity to get hands-on experience using an ergonomically optimized workspace. We feel that this is another significant addition to the ACR Education Center that will assist radiologists in improving their productivity and reducing fatigue.