Health Imaging & IT - January 2009 - (Page 21)

RSNA 2008 IN-Depth @ RSNA360.HealthImaging.com RSNA 2008 In Review aimed at slashing patient and operator dose. Results are impressive with the newest scanners cutting dose for typical cardiac CT studies to less than 1 millisievert. Other vendors showed automated contrast injection tools, RFID contrast injectors and personalized patient injection protocols. These CT helping hands are a win-win investment that minimize patient dose while boosting technologist workflow. Ü Advanced Visualization offers new vision Advanced visualization applications were offered across the spectrum of imaging. Distribution of advanced visualization technology throughout the enterprise is now the order of the day, with thinclient applications the overwhelming focus of the market space. A recurring theme among vendors was enhanced workflow and throughput. Developers have tuned their tools to make the utilization of advanced visualization as ubiquitous for interpreting clinicians as the display of a digital x-ray. A cornucopia of specialized applications was showcased, either as works in progress or as ready for deployment. If a digital imaging dataset is available, there is seemingly a developer who has created software for its manipulation. [ The Carestream Health PACS Cardiac, brain, oncology, tissue, bone, platform offers native 3D muscle and organ images from a range imaging and advanced cardiac features. ] of modalities were shown in a variety of reconstructions, including maximum intensity projection, minimum intensity projection, multiplanar reconstruction, and volume rendering. Temporal and functional enhancements, fly-through capabilities, advanced segmentation and image co-registration functionalities were among the tools showcased that offer a new paradigm for diagnostic interpretation. Several, more simplified, but still highly functioning advanced visualization solutions that leveraged gaming industry technologies that don’t require sophisticated image processing boards and are installed by downloading software from the web, were also featured. by giving him or her more control. If the solution is embedded within PACS, it can streamline reporting workflow—such as dictateedit-sign, correctionist, resident-attending and digital dictation, as well as allowing at-home reporting and remote sign-off. User-friendly GUIs, autotexts, canned reports and intelligent case routing are speeding report creation and communication with referring physicians and specialists. Some vendors featured embedded GUIs that allow integrated voice recognition for the RIS and reporting tools. Companies also showed features that allow radiologists to inject paragraphs and normal phrases from a clipboard of their own commonly used text to be inserted in the structured report or with a normal finding that will accompany a voice dictation. Other vendor offerings included updated radiology dictionaries, improved administrative functionality and custom data entry coupled with workflow management. Ü healthcare It bridges disparate information pathways Vendors at this year’s show recognized that healthcare organizations are looking for technologies that bridge the gap across the enterprise, while providing them with the biggest bang for their buck. Across the exhibit floor, it seemed the lines were blurring between modality management, image management and information management, with different tools and IT capabilities geared specifically toward giving the medical imaging industry access to the critical disparate information systems and modalities. It was evident that many vendors are arming themselves with vendor-neutral hardware and software tools that can provide increased visibility and transparency across any modality or platform, while maintaining data integrity and security, anywhere, anytime—even via the web. Many vendors showcased IT solutions designed to connect to disparate PACS and other information systems at multiple sites, offering a common worklist—be it general, modality or subspecialty—from which users can access all relevant patient information and exams. Dashboard applications that allow imaging facilities to track operations, in some cases real-time clinical data, for clinical and operational key performance indicators, were also center stage at this year’s show. One vendor highlighted a software solution that can aggregate data from disparate information systems, offering a real-time view of actionable information at the critical point in patient care. Another vendor featured a system that monitors network performance, along with monitoring system slow-downs and outages. Other vendors focused on resolving multiple workflow and regulatory challenges across the enterprise with tools that closed the loop on critical test results management, technologist performance management, as well as quality reporting and professional services. Ü Speech expands to new horizons Speech recognition is a proven operational asset these days in radiology departments and imaging centers. New solutions foster greater customization and deeper integration with RIS/PACS, thus streamlining image reading and workflow. At RSNA, many of the speech vendors touted the ability of their tools to expedite radiology workflow and empower the radiologist HealthImaging.com January 2009 | Health Imaging & IT 21 http://RSNA360.HealthImaging.com http://www.HealthImaging.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Health Imaging & IT - January 2009

Health Imaging & IT - January 2009 Contents The Enterprise News Update DR Breathes New Life into Radiography Radiology in the Spotlight Educational Sessions Keynote Addresses Tech Trends on the Exhibit Floor Imaging Tools Managing Technology People & Technology Reader's Resource

Health Imaging & IT - January 2009

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