Acoustics also were considered during the initial design of the reading room. Telephone conversations, dictations, and consultations all occur in normal reading rooms and contribute to overall noisy environments that interfere with radiologist interpretations. Focused sound will be introduced at Baltimore VA to minimize ambient noise by directing computer generated audio such as dictation and teleconferences to only specific areas around the radiologists in such a way that others in the reading rooms will be undisturbed. This also will aid in patient privacy since confidential patient information typically exchanged in consultations will be minimized or masked completely.

The new reading room will occupy a centralized location at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, where consolidated workstation design and improved lighting will create a comfortable environment for radiologists to work and collaborate. In addition to individualized lighting and sound controls intended to reduce eyestrain and other environmental stressors, the room will rely on the integration of information systems and improved workstation ergonomics to create a functional reading environment that serves as a research center and a clinical working environment.


"Radiologist reading rooms are often poorly lit, noisy and uncomfortable," said Sheryl Schulze, of The Environment Group, the design consultant for the project. "As a result, many radiologists end up fatigued, stressed or suffer from repetitive stress injuries. The standard provisions typically provided in these environments do not support the functions and tasks required by the radiologist to perform successfully."

GE Healthcare is leveraging technologies from other GE businesses to enhance and modernize the Baltimore VA Medical Center reading room, including blue light from GE Industrial to increase visual acuity and reduce fatigue, and LCD glass for switching between clear and opaque displays.

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