Imaging Technology News - November/December 2008 - (Page 45)

Advances In PACS operates seven imaging centers and reads for one teleradiology practice. Yet, Dr. Deutsch cautions that the SuperPACS model is not simply taking data from different PACS and ‘dumping’ it into another. It acts as an intelligent facilitator to communicate with existing PACS and maintain the integrity of the data as well as simultaneously satisfying security and privacy regulations. At all three reading groups, a scalable, redundant solution is a necessity. Each group practice has a data center that can also be used to provide a disaster recovery solution. Also common to each site is the ability to track studies as they move through the system. Dr. Deutsch says a robust worklist that helps divide and balance the imaging load is crucial. Dr. Hollenberg suggests having a champion who understands the front end workflow and the back end technology. “Persistence and finding the right vendor who can make it work is the best bet,” he said. At TRS, the PACS also integrates with his billing company to automate this process as well, providing the full loop from order to charge. “Don’t change to accommodate the PACS – have the PACS fit into your workflow,” said Salen. “Have a group representative be completely involved in the installation process.” granted to access that patient’s records. Technology points and brings together all relevant data so that health data is not stored in one place. “The PHR addresses the political and economic issues that create the problems in a multi-site, multi-PACS environment,” he explained. He also suggests that third-party payers can work with a PHR provider to reduce waste and streamline patient data collection as an extension of the billing process. The third party payers synchronize with the PHR provider to know where the patient’s data resides. Dr. Chang added, “We have a good precedence already – it is the model of how we handle our money.” ITN Reference: Brock, Amy. Medical Imaging: Equipment and Related Products. U.S. Market Projections for Medical Imaging Equipment by Segment, 2004-2012. BCC Research, Oct. 2007. Available at www.bccresearch.com/report/HLC020E.html. July/August 2008 Volume 48 • Number 6 Imaging Technol ogy N E W S The Technology Solutions Resource for Medical Imaging & Radiation Oncology Professionals www.ITNonline.net ISSUE Can IMRT Outpace the Competition? Portable Ultrasound To Go INSIDE this Adaptable CT Scanner Offers Whole Organ Functional Imaging Siemens Medical Solutions gained FDA 510(k) market clearance for the SOMATOM Definition AS, said to be the first adaptive CT scanner, adapting to each patient’s clinical situation, available in 40-slice, 64-slice and 128-slice configurations. The new system reportedly provides a benefit with the Adaptive Dose Shield technology, eliminating unnecessary over radiation. The Adaptive 4D Spiral mode of the SOMATOM Definition AS is able to address functional imaging (perfusion images of blood flow over time) of whole organs. This allows Siemens to offer dynamic information of up to 27 centimeters. In the case of a stroke, physicians can use whole-organ perfusion imaging not only for a small part of the brain but for all of it. Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc. www.usa.siemens.com/medical Comparison Charts SPECT/CT High-Field MRI Systems Web Exclusive: Multimodality Breast Imaging Workstations New Verification System Expedites Patient, File Tracking CIVCO Medical Solutions will be featuring the new RFSuite of tools at the AAPM 2008, a comprehensive tracking and verification system designed to improve workflow and quality assurance. It utilizes RF technologies yielding the ability to track patients, charts, film folders and positioning devices as well as facilitating accessory verification on the linac table. The tracking software, known as RFTrack, allows for the ability to quickly locate specific RF tagged items, in order to save time. Patients are checked into the system by an issued customized wristRFSuite continued on page 13 > > special report DC-3 Color Ultrasound Gains FDA Clearance The FDA cleared Mindray’s DC-3 color ultrasound imaging system, equipped with extensive applications in abdominal, OB/GYN, endovaginal, cardiac, small parts and pediatric markets. This new system combines 2D imaging and color Doppler performance and is suited for hospitals and doctors’ offices in hopes of replacing black and white ultrasound imaging systems. Mindray Medical International Ltd. www.mindray.com Women’s Health: Beating Breast Cancer with Better Treatments Women’s healthcare is a renaissance for tomosynthesis - which radiologists anticipate will be used to detect and treat breast cancer. Breast MRI plays an increasingly important role in pretreatment planning, and radiosurgery sharpens its edges for more precise breast biopsy procedures. Plus, learn which oncology information management systems (OIMS) best streamline RT workflow. FDA Clears Fuji’s CR GO Portable X-Ray The FDA cleared Fuji’s newest CR system, the FCR GO portable digital X-ray system, designed to provide remote users with all of the same functionality and image processing features available at the fixed technologist workstation and FCR digital X-ray cassette reader in the imaging department. All of the image optimization and advanced image processing features of Fuji’s Flash IIP are available at the portable console, allowing for comprehensive image adjustment to be completed remotely, and images can be sent directly to PACS without additional intervention at another workstation. Because the system accommodates wireless FCR GO continued on page 35 > > INSIDE Detecting Breast Disease: The Next Frontier for Tomosynthesis > p.25 BMRI Plots Out Treatments > p.26 RT PACS Streamlines Workflow > p.28 Look for us at the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA) July 27-31, 2008 Denver, CO ITN Political, Economic Challenges Even though these three sites have found success, many reading groups find the multi-PACS environment hampered by interoperability issues and a lack of data sharing. Dr. Chang believes the real issue is political and economic, not technical. “There are no real incentives for the hospital and the vendor,” he said. “The technical issues are understandable and not impossible to solve.” The traditional hospital-based EMR is not the solution either, said Dr. Chang. He uses the analogy of purchasing goods at different stores. “For every purchase we make, we use a single trusted proxy – our bank or other financial institution.” He sees this model – the economic record as a single source – one that healthcare should follow. “In healthcare, we need a central clearinghouse that acts as a trusted proxy for a person’s health information,” Dr. Chang said. This proxy, according to Dr. Chang, could be the personal health record (PHR). The scenario Dr. Chang envisions is once a patient presents their PHR card to a healthcare provider, permission is Now Available ITN Digital Edition Go to ITNonline.net and get ITN Digital - FREE - a $120 Value! Hurry, limited time offer. Imaging Technology News magazine is now available in an easy-tonavigate digital version delivered directly to your eMail in-box. Filled with all the great content you find in the print edition, ITN Digital quickly downloads to your desktop in crisp, clear pages formatted for optimum viewing. So whether you’re viewing the digital version of ITN magazine on your laptop, reading ITN magazine in print, or surfing ITNonline.net, Imaging Technology News is available whenever, wherever and however you choose. Imaging Technology News — Delivering Formats to Fit Your Lifestyle. ITNonline.net ITNonline.net | Nov/Dec 2008 | ITN | 45 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Imaging Technology News 16 E. Schaumburg Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60194-3536 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PONTIAC, IL PERMIT NO. 267 http://www.bccresearch.com/report/HLC020E.html http://new.reillycomm.com/imaging/subscribe.php http://www.ITNonline.net http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical http://www.mindray.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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