Imaging Technology News - November/December 2008 - (Page 34)

Solutions Applied A CASE STUDY An Image is Worth a Thousand Words Codonics Virtua Medical Disc Publisher facilitates communication with patients and referring physicians, saving time and money, while improving customer satisfaction. gists who are importing NCPIC’s images from s the first freestanding non-university the Virtua disc directly into their treatment planPET center in the nation, Northern ning systems. California PET Imaging (NCPIC) is accustomed to leading the path for new discoverDr. Falen believes that having 3D and fused ies through technology. NCPIC was the first to images on the disc does help the surgeons and use a whole body PET scanner outside of acadeoncologists. “With PET/CT, the image fusion mia in the nation; the first to install a PET mamoccurs within the software, so having a disc with mography scanner (PEM) in Northern viewing software and a complete data set is more California; and the first to submit a clinical paper valuable than a printed copy,” said Dr. Falen. on staging lung cancer with whole-body PET Virtua includes a full-featured, viewer for fused imaging that had over 95 patients in the study.1 images on each disc. “This is not an insignificant Early on, NCPIC saw the value of providing program, it is rather impressive,” he added. In images with reports to referring physicians and fact, Dr. Falen attributes fewer phone call interpatients. “We’ve been using a ruptions as a result of the Codonics imager since we referring physicians’ ability to opened our doors in 1992,” clearly visualize lesions using said Bruce Finley, PET Tech the software on the disc. Supervisor, NCPIC. “We were Since each disc can be cusso pleased with the original tomized, Virtua’s flexibility is imager that we replaced it apparent to Finley. “We can with the latest generation choose different DICOM Horizon imager in November viewing software based upon 2003 in conjunction with our its ability to adequately hannew PET/CT system.” dle the image characteristics According to Steven Falen, of each modality,” he said. M.D., Ph.D., medical direcCodonics offers several intor, NCPIC, highlighting Northern California PET Imaging (NCPIC) house DICOM viewers, principle findings by printing including specialized viewers key images from the PET/CT such as the PET/CT that NCPIC uses, as well as scan provides greater value because, “It is often several from other manufacturers. “This flexibildifficult to verbally describe the shape of a lesion ity and collaboration adds a lot of value to or the relationship of the lesion to a vessel, adjaVirtua,” added Finley. “Choice of viewing softcent organ or other important anatomy.” ware is essential for the device to reach its full potential.” Yet, today’s advanced imaging equipment – particularly hybrid imaging systems like PET For Dr. Falen, that flexibility also allows him and multislice CT (MDCT) – generate large data to easily review PET/CT cases with referring sets that are then post-processed into threephysicians, a task that is particularly important dimensional (3D) images. “It is very difficult to for his presentations at tumor boards. demonstrate 3D anatomy in 2D printed form,” Yet, the system is very user-friendly, particusaid Dr. Falen. NCPIC realized that a CD disc larly with its Web-based interface. From virtualpublishing solution was a necessary component ly any location throughout the facility, staff can for distributing images to clinicians. send a request to burn a CD. “Our effort is miniWhile NCPIC recognized the value of CD disc mal; Virtua is simply another destination,” added publishing, appropriate PET/CT viewing software Finley. Plus, Virtua provides another lower cost, was limited. In 2007, Finley researched the Codonics HIPAA-compliant and redundant archive soluVirtua XR Medical Disc Publisher and learned that tion; NCPIC just makes two discs instead of one. the company was developing a complete nuclear According to Jeanette Galvan, administrative medicine and PET/CT viewer solution. coordinator, NCPIC, the center was manually In August 2008, NCPIC installed Virtua and duplicating data and printing discs for each the product’s capabilities were immediately patient on another system prior to Virtua. apparent to the staff. Each Virtua disc includes “Before, it took two hours of my day to print and all DICOM header information and the approprilabel each disc and the process was extremely ate software to facilitate viewing from the disc. error prone.” Today, this same process takes her less than 45 minutes, saving Galvan six hours Jan Cronin, market development manager, each week. Since the process is automatic with NCPIC, explained, “We have found that the information populated directly from the modality referring physicians – and particularly the surworkstation, Galvan knows the discs are comgeons – really use the CD to analyze the lesion plete and accurate. structure and details prior to surgery.” She has heard from some radiation and medical oncoloEase of use does translate to cost savings. A The staff at NCPIC has found Virtua to be accurate and improve workflow, making their job much easier, especially as their referral base grows. “We’ve saved 0.5 FTE in the front office and 0.2 FTE for our technologists,” Galvan explained, for a total reduction in salary expense of approximately $36,000. NCPIC also realizes lower costs for mailing and media. A disc is more cost-effective than thermal paper, plus multiple studies can be saved on one disc. “Virtua has made my job easier and because it is so accurate, it takes a load off my shoulders,” she said. The system keeps NCPIC informed of status and potential problems, even at remote locations. “Virtua is truly good for workflow: it doesn’t make mistakes and takes the information right from the DICOM header,” Finley said. “This allows us to make new or duplicate discs on demand.” Plus, Virtua offers a custom label capability so NCPIC can easily add its full color logo, phone and address to each disc, providing another vehicle that supplements Cronin’s marketing efforts. Added Cronin, “as our referral base grows, and we add new modalities, the flexibility and marketing benefits of Virtua will only continue to help us.” The staff at NCPIC knows first hand the ability to share patient images with referring physicians and specialists, by either printing on the Codonics Horizon Multi-media Imager or burning a disc on Virtua Medical Disc Publisher, enhances the patient care process and simultaneously builds loyalty among a wide-ranging referral base. As Dr. Falen said, “An image is worth a thousand words.” ITN References: 1. Valk, Peter E., MB, BS, Pounds, Thomas R., MD, Hopkins, Donald M., MD, et al. Staging Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Whole-Body Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging. Ann Thorac Surg 1995;60:1573-1581. For More Information www.codonics.com 34 | ITN | Nov/Dec 2008 | ITNonline.net http://www.codonics.com http://www.ITNonline.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Image Technology News - November 2008

Image Technology News - November 2008 Contents RSNA CT Systems Imaging An Image is Worth a Thousand Words Ultrasound Systems MBI Takes on FFDM Trouble in Multi-PACS Paradise When is Appropriateness Criteria Appropriate? RIS/PACS in a Web 2.0 World Digital Mammography Helps Center Continue its Commitment to the Best in Patient-Focused Breast Cancer Cardiovascular Imaging Systems PARCA Extends Expertise to World PACS Market

Image Technology News - November 2008

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