The introduction of picture and archiving communicating systems is currently being evaluated in several institutions. We decided, as an intermediate step, to see if image quality after transferral to a personal computer (PC) is sufficient for the diagnostic needs in an intensive care unit. Seventy-five portable digital chest radiographs were studied both as hard-copies and on a monitor after transferral to a PC. Two chest radiologists and one anesthesiologist reviewed the examinations. Our intention was to evaluate if everything that is routinely checked by the anesthesiologist is demonstrable after electronic transfer to a local workstation. We found practically no difference between the performance of monitor and film for the whole material.