Imaging Technology News 9/08

Oncology Information Management Systems COMPARISON CHART IMPAC Medical Systems Inc. an Elekta Co. Enterprise-Wide Integration for OIMS Audie Lewis If you look across the total oncology enterprise at most • Wide dispersion of information institutions today, you will discover a limited approach to • No quick way to spot trends in performance enterprise-wide integration of oncology information man• Limited ability for administrators and managers to agement systems (OIMS). In truth, the oncology world is see underlying problems just beginning to discover the importance of integrating • Cause and effect relationships not easy to spot information systems/information technology (IS/IT) solutions across diverse oncology practices, with industry • No simple way to guarantee accuracy and completeinterest ramping up over the past decade. ness of required information The complex nature of oncology definitely lends itself to • Very little systematic sharing of information across the need for better integration of patient information from the oncology patient enterprise both the clinical treatment side and the administrative side. • Analysis and use of data is labor intensive By necessity, cancer care has evolved as a multidisciplinary • Improving data integrity requires significant human treatment arena that requires input, direction and resources intervention from a wide variety of matter experts and specialized Operational improvement is an important consideration providers. Patients can enter the diagnostic and treatment for developing a highly integrated oncology enterprise. cycle from an innumerable variety of entry points. Likewise, Organizations with the best chance for continued profmethods for treating cancers vary widely and cross several itability and/or sustainability will be those that are well venues, requiring significant coordination of effort and constant follow-up regimen and validation of results. equipped to understand the individualistic nature of cost and performance variables. A strong, integrated IS/IT platThis complex web of total provider care and critical perform is foundational to this requirement. Good data capformance assessment necessiture and usage is of paratates a strong and viable commount importance to linking munications network. To this Cancer care has evolved as a multidisciplimeasurable outcomes to end, oncology businesses need nary treatment arena that requires input, organizational objectives for IS/IT infrastructures that both the quality of care and promote multidisciplinary direction and resources from a wide variety the cost of the care extended functionality within the existof matter experts and specialized providers. to the oncology patients. ing network of providers. For Some of the more important many institutions, the netoutcomes that can be measured within an integrated oncolwork of providers and agency participants is extensive and ogy arena include: staging perspectives; drug/supply/other includes most of the participants and/or program aspects metrics; clinical comparisons; treatment outlined in the following chart. Furthermore, the demopredictability/costs; trending information/demographic graphic density and geographic dispersion of support is frequently as complex as the degree of multidisciplinary funcstudies; cancer incidence rates; best practice procedures; tionality within the local oncology practices. therapy choices/quality/prevention metrics; and profitability/statistical priorities. Enterprise-wide integration of OIMS significantly improves an organization’s ability to improve business Without a doubt, enterprise-wide integration of oncoloperations as well. For instance, the ability to improve ogy practices is a worthwhile goal for most institutions to business operations flows directly from the ability to dispursue. Vendor solutions and options for enterprise-wide cover opportunities for change within administration, connectivity are proliferating at an astounding rate. patient care, drug usages, process interventions, supply Given the complex nature of oncology practice today, utilization and any number of similar daily drivers to cost many institutions will find enterprise-wide integration an and quality. Some of the more common issues that restrict excellent strategy for improving the overall quality of performance improvement objectives include: oncology patient care and combating the seemingly never-ending rise of healthcare operational costs. • Very little ability to manage information coherently PARTICIPANTS IMPAC Medical Systems Inc., an Elekta Co. www.impac.com Siemens Medical Solutions www.usa.siemens.com/medical Varian Medical Systems www.varian.com Audie Lewis is president and CEO of Audie Lewis Consulting Inc., an independent research and consulting firm serving the healthcare industry. His consulting firm specializes in assessing the return on investment value of healthcare technologies and the successful implementation of related projects. His firm publishes the Mark-of-Excellence reports, which designate best-in-class technologies. He is a best-selling author whose latest book is titled: “Streamlining Health Care Operations: How Lean Logistics Can Transform Health Care Organizations” (AHA Press and JosseyBass Publishing). Comparison Chart Conducted by Reilly Communications Group Reilly Communications Group assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in this chart. The chart specifications were created by Reilly Communications Group in conjunction with industry experts, and published data were obtained from participating manufacturers. Open and fold out or remove for wall display Please direct all chart inquiries to: charts@rcgpubs.com ITNonline.net | September 2008 | ITN | 17 http://new.reillycomm.com/cgi-bin/proj/compare2test.cgi?step=&masterindexnum=&comp=img http://www.impac.com http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical http://www.varian.com http://www.ITNonline.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Imaging Technology News 9/08

Imaging Technology News 9/08 Contents IGRT How IGRT Targets the Prostate ASTRO Oncology Information Management Systems (OIMS) Imaging Leading the Intense Race Against Cancer SBRT - The New Treatment of Choice Top IMRT/IGRT Centers to Watch Molecular Imaging: Ready for the Limelight CR or DR in the ER? Have You Hit the Glass Ceiling?

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