Health Imaging & IT - November 2007 - (Page 122)

t e C h n o l o g y t r e n D S by Lisa Frat t emergenCy imAging in flux Digital image management processes and advanced imaging systems are changing imaging across the enterprise. The trend is particularly apparent in the emergency department (ED). For starters, digital x-ray expedites patient care, helping clinicians improve throughput. And more departments are turning to other modalities, specifically clinician-based ultrasound, to achieve the common goal of all EDs—efficient, high-quality patient care. Others continue to fine-tune digital processes, developing systems to help manage discrepancies between ED and radiology image interpretations. The ED is not exempt from the explosion in imaging volume. In fact, volumes are increasing, particularly in the data-intense modalities: CT and MRI. On one hand, advanced imaging systems provide data key to accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment. On the other hand, however, increased use of CT and MRI can create backlogs and delay care. The upshot? Digital acquisition and review systems can improve the ED environment, but real progress requires training and planning. Digital x-ray and the eD Christiana Care Health System operates two hospitals in the Wilmington, Del., area. Christiana Hospital is a 780-bed acute-care hospital in Newark, Del. It houses a busy ED that sees approximately 80,000 patients annually. The 250-bed Wilmington Hospital has an ED volume in the 20,000 range. Last year, the health system outfitted both sites with Philips Medical Systems digital x-ray systems including two Digital Diagnost Dual Detector DR VMs and 23 computed radiography (CR) systems. ED physicians view images on Philips iSite PACS workstations located throughout the department. “Digital imaging has improved our ED turnaround. Physicians can see images quicker and thus make [informed and accelerated] treatment decisions,” explains Robert Garrett, administrative director of radiology. Christiana Hospital also has invested in complementary systems 122 n o v e m b e r 2 0 07 | Health Imaging & IT to boost efficiency and enhance patient care. For example, three years ago the ED deployed Patient Care Technology Systems EDTracker. The project entailed placing 300 infrared and radiofrequency (RFID) sensors throughout the ED and radiology departments. Now, all ED staff and patients wear a small RFID badge, so they can be tracked throughout the system. Physicians and other care providers know exactly where patients are located and no longer need to chase patients to transport them to or from radiology. In addition, a stoplight feature monitors the number of patients arriving in the ED. That means when ED volume is high the radiology department can pull staff accordingly to better meet ED needs and maintain patient flow, says Garrett. Ultimately, the combined solutions produce an efficient ED with fluid imaging and patient treatment processes. Still, Christiana Care plans to squeeze the last drops of efficiency out of its systems. The hospital plans to create an interface between iSite PACS and EDTracker to improve communication between the ED and radiology. “Right now, clinicians know when a patient has returned from radiology, but they don’t know when the radiologist has read CT or MRI studies,” explains Garrett. The interface will alert the clinician to the report, which is expected to expedite care. Automated discrepancy tracking The ED at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., is primarily digital. The 35-bed ED sees 65,000 patients annually; it’s equipped with two PACS workstations where ED clinicians provide initial x-ray interpretation 24/7. Radiologists read CT, ultrasound and MRI studies; and clinicians read reports in the EMR. One of the primary challenges in the ED, says Neal Sikka, MD, medical director of HealthImaging.com http://HealthImaging.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Health Imaging & IT - November 2007

Health Imaging & IT November 2007 RSNA 360 Table of Contents Table of Contents On the Web: HealthImaging.com The Enterprise: Imaging & IT = Knowledge News Update RSNA 360: Technology Previews RSNA 360: PACS RSNA 360: PACS Peripherals RSNA 360: Reading Services RSNA 360: Voice Recognition & Reporting RSNA 360: Furniture RSNA 360: CT RSNA 360: Molecular Imaging RSNA 360: Advanced Visualization RSNA 360: MRI RSNA 360: Ultrasound RSNA 360: Health IT RSNA 360: Cardiac Imaging RSNA 360: Digital X-ray RSNA 360: Women’s Imaging RSNA 360: CAD RSNA 360: Data Storage & Archiving RSNA 360: Displays RSNA 360: Oncology Imaging PACS & the EHR: Users Love the Link Lung CAD: A Power Tool in the Imaging Toolset Special Section: RIS/PACS: Efficiency Gains through Integration Fine-Tuning Breast Imaging Workflow Peace of Mind: Long-term Archives that Deliver QA in Medical Displays: Two Approaches CPOE: Wonders in Workflow Emergency Imaging in Flux Reader's Resource Stat Sheet

Health Imaging & IT - November 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.