Health Imaging & IT - April 2008 - (Page 17)

The clinical caseload at the medical center consists primarily of pre-operative organ donor studies like mapping vascular systems or liver volume. The workflow is fairly straightforward. Original images are transmitted from the acquisition workstation to the 3D lab, where 3D Advanced Imaging Technologist Steven Horowitz completes the reconstructions and sends them back to the referring physician. After the physician dictates the case, reconstructions are stored in PACS with the original images. Although the current model provides medical center staff access to the raw data, reconstructed images and reports via PACS, the medical center plans to deploy Vital Images ViTALConnect web-based software later this year. The new software should improve the current workflow, which requires physicians to visit or call the 3D lab to request additional views. “When we add ViTALConnect, physicians can complete reconstructions on their own. It will provide better and faster access to images, which should improve patient care,” explains Horowitz. For example, if a surgeon requires a different view during surgery, he can view images on the PACS workstation and create the required view during the procedure. In addition, the web-based tool allows physicians to use commonly used advanced visualization tools like MPR from home. out bumping into a workstation with 3D access,” states Gilbert, “It speeds up their workflow because they don’t need to come to radiology to view 3D reconstructions.” The ticket to successful universal 3D access is appropriate infrastructure. ViTALConnect uses the same infrastructure as the center’s PACS: a dedicated CISCO 4900 Catalyst network with a dual redundant, self-healing engine, a virtual private network and four render servers. “Don’t skimp on the infrastructure,” cautions Gilbert, who budgeted 10 to 15 percent of the 3D purchase for supporting infrastructure. Gilbert specified the center’s hardware for growth and planned the infrastructure to handle 200 percent of the current volume. “Physicians are thrilled because everyone has what they need: convenient access to the 3D tools necessary for optimal decision-making and patient treatment.” ron gilbert, PaCs administrator, atlanta Medical Center enterprise-infused 3d While sites like University of Minnesota Medical Center plan for thin-client 3D, others have jumped in with both feet. Atlanta Medical Center in Georgia is a level two trauma center that’s tapped into Vital Images ViTALConnect web-based software to deliver universal access to 3D. “Advanced visualization should be quick, simple and everywhere,” opines Ron Gilbert, PACS administrator. Atlanta Medical Center installed ViTALConnect in October 2007 and plans to roll out 3D access across the enterprise. The web-based system improves on the center’s initial 3D approach. Prior to ViTALConnect, Atlanta Medical Center relied on nine Vitrea workstations for 3D reconstructions. The approach, however, stymied workflow for both surgeons and CT technologists. That’s because the medical center placed eight workstations in the radiology department. When a surgeon needed a reconstruction, he walked to the department, interrupted CT scanning and waited until a tech completed the reconstructions. “Now, surgeons won’t stop techs in CT production. They can complete the reconstructions themselves or ask other techs to complete the reconstructions on a PACS workstation,” explains Gilbert. The heart of the model is the multi-purpose workstation. Gilbert purchased PACS workstations to accommodate 3D specifications and run ViTALConnect. The upshot? Heavy clinical users of 3D like trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons and vascular surgeons can access 3D functionality at any PACS workstations. “A surgeon can’t walk 100 feet in this medical center withHealthimaging.com The approach works. “Physicians are thrilled,” says Gilbert, “because everyone has what they need: convenient access to the 3D tools necessary for optimal decision-making and patient treatment.” The time share model 3D rendering is an essential tool of 21st century radiology. Unfortunately, 3D rendering solutions carry a hefty price tag. Initial and ongoing costs include workstations and training of both technologists and radiologists. Although the advent of thin-client solutions delivers an easier to swallow price tag than stand-alone workstations, 3D still remains a significant investment for most hospitals and imaging practices. Take for example Borgess Medical Center, a Kalamazoo, Mich-based trauma center. Last year, it became apparent that its fat-client 3D rendering program had grown obsolete. The center’s CT workload had boomed, and techs could not keep up with CT volume and postprocessing. At times, 3D rendering was delayed because techs needed to staff the scanner rather than the workstation. It was clear the site needed a new solution, but it lacked the resources to purchase a thin-client solution. Enter a new model. 3DR of Louisville, Ky., has pioneered the time share model. Robert Falk, MD, chief medical officer, explains, “3DR began three years ago as we watched area hospitals pour resources into 3D workstations at different sites and invest in training multiple users. It wasn’t an efficient approach.” In response to the changing 3D climate, Falk and his partners created 3DR; the service provides advanced image processing to hospitals and imaging centers across the country. 3DR is outfitted with the Visage Imaging Visage CS thin-client 3D post-processing april 2008 | Health Imaging & IT 1 http://Healthimaging.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Health Imaging & IT - April 2008

Health Imaging & IT - April 2008 Contents On the Web The Enterprise News Update Cracking Down: CT Radiation Dose 3D Rendering: Options Galore Thinking Thin-Client Modality Review Ergonomics & Design Special Section: Storage Strategies Imaging Tools Technology Outlook People & Technology Technology Review IT Trends Reader's Resource Stat Sheet

Health Imaging & IT - April 2008

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