DCS (Digital Cervical Cancer Screening System) Colposcopy

 DCS^® - Web-based Cervical Cancer Screening System

NTL has further advanced the idea of telemedicine and developed a new Web-based Cervical Cancer Screening System (DCS^®) which is more practical, accurate and reliable in the present technological world. DCS^®(Digital Cervicography^® System) uses a digital Dr. Cervicam^® camera which takes digitalized pictures like a Cerviscope^® camera. DCS^® incorporates the internet network for remote-evaluations of digitalized pictures in cooperation with NTL. This digital Cervicography^® system can now replace the analogue film system by digitizing the same process and using the internet to replace the couriers.

DCS^® is significantly efficient in QC(Quality Control) management and time-saving ; additionally, the certified evaluators are available at any time, at any place while the existing analogue system requires a long period of time because of geographic distances and the delivery process.

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(1) What is DCS^® (Web-based Cervical Cancer Screening System)?

DCS^® is a replacement for the analogue Cervicography^® process.
DCS^® digitizes and enhances the original Cervicography^® process.
DCS^® leverages the internet instead of using couriers to move information  

from point to point.
DCS^® potentially delivers results on the same day.

DCS^® significantly enhances process quality.
DCS^® augments process Output- Reports now including images of the patient.

(2) DCS^® Hardware Dr.CERVICAM^®

- High quality digital imaging system

- Intuitive user interface for simple handling

- High technological / ergonomic design

(3) DCS^® Software

1. 3 Independent, but integrated, computer programs

        - Provider/ Requester       -   DCS^® /RQ

- Cervicography^® Evaluator  -   DCS^® /EV

- NTL/ Service Provider     -   DCS^® /SP

 2. Central Database

 3. Active internet communication between all modules and the central server

4.     All parties have inquiry access via the web using just a browser

(4) How does DCS^® work?

DCS^® functions under a DCS^® computer network. It is not just a single SYSTEM but a NETWORK of systems.

 Three independent but integrated IT programs are connected to a central database with active Internet communications between all modules and the central server. All parties have inquiry access via the web using just a web browser. At the initial patient consultation, the requester captures images and sends them to NTL via the internet. NTL will serve as a service provider for the screening service. NTL records all submitted cases, and on completion, allocates the cases to an on duty evaluator and sends the case files via the internet. The evaluator receives the cases and images, then analyses the images and records his evaluative opinion sending the results to NTL via the internet. Finally NTL passes the results to the requesters via the internet. A diagrammatic representation is shown as below.

In order to assure the accuracy and reliability of DCS^®, NTL has ensured excellent quality control in the evaluation process. The standard procedure is to use a single on call evaluator for all the requested cases. All evaluators are from an accredited evaluator panel established for DCS^®. For any difficult case or query, a second opinion is sought in order to arrive at a consensus before the result is returned to the requester. If any controversy still exists, it might require final arbitration by an international expert in the field.  Furthermore, mandatory, regular audits of every evaluators results are performed and on-going Community consultations are carried out to resolve any issue that may occur.