Health Imaging & IT - May 2008 - (Page 54)

speCial seCTion praCTiCe managemenT The Insider’s Primer: Taming the Workflow Beast – Five Facilities Tell How Intergy PACS and Intergy RIS. Exam rooms are wired and outfitted with workstations for reviewing patient images and data. Intergy provides a unified patient record to allow physicians at all sites to view clinical data and images, enabling clinicians to provide timely, informed care as patients move between sites. The workflow benefits of the deployment extend beyond physicians. With RIS/PACS, technologists no longer print and hang images. Integration between the PACS and RIS results in cleaner, more straightforward billing. “Everything is automatically verified between the systems. CPT and diagnostic codes are matched before bills are sent out,” explains Hurley. The improved billing results in fewer denied claims, which, in turn, saves time and improves workflow. “Everything is automatically verified between the [RIS and PACS] systems. CPT and diagnostic codes are matched before bills are sent out.” Patt Hurley, assistant practice administrator, Florida Medical Clinic, Zephyrills, Fla. chAllenge #5 upgrading efficient workflow Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham, Ala., is an integrated workflow pioneer. Five years ago, the hospital turned to Siemens Medical Solutions MagicSuite as a platform for RISdriven integrated RIS/PACS workflow. The initial adoption delivered significant workflow gains, but as image volume increased, the hospital sought a next-generation solution. Early in 2008, it deployed the answer via a transition to Siemens syngo Suite PACS. The new platform offers a number of features that deliver workflow advantages, says PACS Administrator Lynn Odom, including rapid image loading, integrated voice recognition and a high degree of customization. syngo Suite slashes retrieval time for archived images from a previous high of six to eight minutes to a few seconds, and it allows radiologists to begin review as studies load. The improved image load speed, in combination with other features, translates into significant workflow gains. For example, the new platform features syngo Voice, which allows radiologists to sign reports via voice and then immediately auto-faxes the report to attending physicians. As result, the radiology department trimmed average report turn-around time from 24 hours to four or five hours. Other features that pack a workflow punch include userfriendly, customizable hanging protocols that allow radiologists to configure data in a way that supports the most rapid review. syngo Workflow also allows online critical results reporting to eliminate manual pulling of reports, and the Interactive Documents feature streamlines ED Discrepancy Tracking. Radiologists can electronically check a discrepancy box, and results are automatically printed for follow-up by the emergency department. 5 Health Imaging & IT | May 2008 syngo Suite is a solution that can grow with the department, says Odom. “I can tweak the system to solve various workflow challenges as radiologists, clinicians and techs bring them to my attention.” workflow wisdom › Most PACS can handle basic workflow. The challenge is the 10 › › › › to 20 percent of workflow that is atypical. Make sure to test systems to determine if they can handle the workflow that falls outside the typical, says Schwartz. PACS and RIS represent an opportunity to change workflow. Don’t take paper methods and translate them to the electronic world. Look at the deployment as an opportunity to change workflow for the better. Set your sights high; look for ways to squeeze every ounce of efficiency out of the facility or department. Some sites don’t utilize full PACS/RIS integration, says Burnside. Constant communication between the PACS and RIS sets the stage for streamlined workflow. Look for a solution that can grow with the facility or department. The wisest investment provides a platform to address current and future workflow challenges. meeting the challenge Workflow challenges present in all forms. Some are unique to specific institutions; many are common across settings, but all are solvable. Great efficiency can always be gained. It requires a commitment to identifying the specific needs of the facility or enterprise, and researching various systems to determine the optimal solution. The answer may require various solutions working in concert and ongoing refinement. The results, however, are well-worth the investment as facilities that stay on top of workflow report better service and satisfaction among staff and patients and a healthy bottom line. HealthImaging.com http://HealthImaging.com

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

Health Imaging & IT - May 2008 Contents On the Web The Enterprise News Update Convention Spotlight: SIIM 2008 Healthcare IT Salary Survey Survey Findings Inside the Transition to Next-Generation Image Management Blurring the Lines: Interfaced vs. Integrated RIS/PACS The Insider's Primer: Taming the Workflow Beast - Five Facilities Tell How Availability, Applications Drive New Archive Strategies Modality Review Managing Technology Inside Technology Reader's Resource Stat Sheet

Health Imaging & IT - May 2008

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