The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility to establish a teleradiology system between Penitentiary Center and reference Hospital.

This experience lasted two years: from January 2002 to December 2003. During this period 423 reports were made. Plain film were obtained with analogic equipment (Radiología SL Mod. RST 60 HF). The radiographs were digitized with laser scanner Lumiscan 75 (2048 x 2500 lines). Images were review in workstation monitors Sun Ultra 60(2048 pixels x 2560 lines). The cable network was 2 Mbps virtual private network (VPN) one.
Methodology was developed with questionnaires to evaluate the impact over the different aspect such as clinical process, patient health, equity principle, economic impact, and system acceptance.

The implementation of a teleradiology system has result in high satisfaction index among the health practitioners. Technical system characteristics are enough to allow radiological diagnosis, it is intuitive and
easily used
For radiologist, it does not interference with the daily routine practice (due to the low actual demand) and expand the radiological service offer. Among the penitentiary center personnel, the results are positive in respect to the diagnosis and the time spend to establish a diagnosis.
It allow the diagnosis in initial state of disease or the diagnosis of pathology with radiological signs difficult to interpretate for general health practitioner.
Security levels are improved in the penitentiary center to avoid unnecessary travels to hospital. The network system between the Madrid 2 Penitentiary Center and Hospital Principe de Asturias has result in significant cost saving during the first year, with a prediction to be more significant the longer the teleradiology system lasts. The amortization period was less than a year

This teleradiology system guarantees to the inmates medical attention at the same level to the general population, improving security levels with significant cost savings.