Enterprise Imaging

Enterprise imaging brings together all imaging exams, patient data and reports from across a healthcare system into one location to aid efficiency and economy of scale for data storage. This enables immediate access to images and reports any clinical user of the electronic medical record (EMR) across a healthcare system, regardless of location. Enterprise imaging (EI) systems replace the former system of using a variety of disparate, siloed picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), radiology information systems (RIS), and a variety of separate, dedicated workstations and logins to view or post-process different imaging modalities. Often these siloed systems cannot interoperate and cannot easily be connected. Web-based EI systems are becoming the standard across most healthcare systems to incorporate not only radiology, but also cardiology (CVIS), pathology and dozens of other departments to centralize all patient data into one cloud-based data storage and data management system.

Embarking on the Meaningful-use Path

Sponsored by FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas

How elusive is the goal of meaningful use among imaging groups? We know of only a handful of US radiology practices that have qualified. Relying on in-house talent is a great way to get it done, but not many practices have the personnel needed to research the complexities involved. Selecting and deploying the correct technology, and then attesting

Finding Greater Meaning in Stage 2 Meaningful Use

Sponsored by FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas

Proposed rules for stage 2 of the federal government’s electronic health record (EHR) incentive program were issued in late February, and the reaction from the radiology community has been somewhat favorable (unlike its response to the rules for stage 1). Proposed rules from CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT include specific

Study Says Importing Outside Images into PACS Decreases Repeat Tests

A new study published this month in the American Journal of Roentgenology adds to the ongoing debate over whether the availability of prior imaging exams makes a difference in utilization.

PACS Image Exchange Systems Reduce Unnecessary Tests

Having a system to easily share medical imaging exams from one facility to another can substantially lower the number of repeat procedures, according to a recent study in The Journal of Roentgenology.

2012 Renews Reimbursement Focus for Radiology

As another congressional session progresses, lobbyists representing radiology organizations on Capitol Hill have their sights set on preventing further cuts to imaging services under Medicare, especially as debate intensifies over fixing the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.

Radiology in Uzbekistan and Beyond: Leveraging Telemedicine With MSF

Programs like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, do invaluable work in bringing advanced medical care to developing and unstable nations. Often overlooked, however, is the role that radiology plays. As the diagnostic specialty, radiology can be critical in clinical scenarios where imaging plays an essential role,

Power to the Radiologist: Steps Toward Ensuring the Specialty’s Future

Radiology is at a crossroads, and the future of the profession will be determined by the decisions that radiologists make today, according to John Patti, MD, and Pat Basu, MD. In “Critical Issues Facing the Profession of Radiology: An ACR® Leadership Perspective,” which Patti copresented on November 28, 2011 at the annual meeting of the RSNA, he

Service and Support Are Critical to PACS Success

Sponsored by Intelerad

Like many radiology practices in the United States, Premier Radiology (Nashville, Tennessee) has seen its share of changes over the past few years. James C. King, MD, radiologist and owner, says, “It’s been a tumultuous time. Six years ago, we had one outpatient center; now, we have nine. We provide teleradiology from Maine to Washington state, and