Imaging Informatics

Imaging informatics (also known as radiology informatics, a component of wider medical or healthcare informatics) includes systems to transfer images and radiology data between radiologists, referring physicians, patients and the entire enterprise. This includes picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), wider enterprise image systems, radiology information. systems (RIS), connections to share data with the electronic medical record (EMR), and software to enable advanced visualization, reporting, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, analytics, exam ordering, clinical decision support, dictation, and remote image sharing and viewing systems.

Compared with clinician notes, EHR-based imaging orders are incomplete

Patient information in imaging orders sent via electronic health records (EHRs) is less complete and less reliable than that found in physician notes on the same patient in the same EHR.

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Should the language used in radiology reports be standardized?

As radiologists continue to emphasize demonstrating their value to patient care, there has been a push to standardize the language used in radiology reports. According to a new commentary published in Academic Radiology, however, those in favor of such a shift could end up regretting it.

CDS-generated report cards help reduce imaging orders for lower back pain

Using clinical decision support (CDS) to send primary care providers (PCPs) personalized report cards evaluating their ordering decisions can reduce outpatient lumbar spine (LS) MRI orders for lower back pain (LBP), according to a new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

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Radiologists inconsistent with how they convey diagnostic certainty

Diagnostic certainty phrases (DCPs) are common in radiology reports, helping the radiologist convey certainty in an imaging finding or its clinical significance. According to a new study published in Academic Radiology, however, radiologists use a wide variety of DCPs, and reducing this variation could improve the overall quality of radiology reports.

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Amazon releases AI language processing service for patient records, radiology reports

Tech company Amazon has launched a new medical language processing service that, by using artificial intelligence (AI), can extract data from patient records and reports to help healthcare professionals make better treatment decisions, address data privacy and decrease overall costs, according to a report published Nov. 28 by TechCrunch.

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What radiologists should know about point-of-care photographs

Point-of-care photographs obtained at the same time as medical imaging studies can be helpful for radiology providers. According to a new perspective piece published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, however, specialists should still make sure they do their homework before using such photographs in their practice.

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RSNA 2018: What to make of the increased hype surrounding AI in radiology

Radiologist Paul Chang, MD, medical director of enterprise imaging at the University of Chicago, began his presentation Tuesday, Nov. 27, at RSNA 2018 by saying radiologists were in need of a reality check when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI).

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RSNA 2018: Researchers turn to AI to protect imaging equipment from cyberattacks

Medical imaging equipment is highly susceptible to cyberattacks, putting hospitals and imaging centers at a serious risk of losing functionality of those systems and even having data stolen by an outside entity. This concerning issue is the focus of two studies being presented at RSNA 2018 in Chicago.