Images Anywhere, Anytime: Web-based PACS & RIS/PACS

system, and of course all the new modalities coming in.” The current storage system runs 2 terabytes of content. The queryretrieve process, pulling from the old archives, has added data to the system. “We are very fortunate that we have, just at a moment’s click, everything that we have ever processed,” says Monty. “It also makes sure that our referring physicians have access to the previous studies. That’s part of the continuity of care that you’re providing both the referring physicians and the radiologists as they read the scans.” efficiency & productivity Western Neurological also incorporated voice recognition, which helps their practice turn reports around in an hour, on average. Physicians generate and self-edit their reports, which aids in getting them out to referring doctors quickly with no need to go back for a final sign-off. The system also helps the practice’s technologists work more efficiently, Monty says. Two technologists work per shift and they precue studies for the physicians, track special communications such as STAT exams and perform quality control on studies. Another benefit of the PACS is the ability for referring physicians to show images directly to their patients. For example, a multiple sclerosis (MS) specialist with about 1,500 patients, can compare prior studies to see how many new lesions the patient has—an important tool in caring for MS patients. The practice’s referring cardiologists appreciate the ability to see heart images in cine mode. The practice performs post-processing multiplanar imaging for the cardiologists to view ejection fractions, systolic and diastolic phases and more. “They’re sitting at home or in their office visualizing the heart in its real, true function, and that’s made a difference for them,” says Monty. “They want to see the flow of the blood, follow the bolus track and visualize the clot.” As a stand-alone imaging center, “we pride ourselves in being able to make same-day appointments and have a quick turn-around time with reports,” says Neuroradiologist Stephen Carroll, MD. Linda S. Monty, R/T (R)(MR)(CT), imaging manager at Western Neurological Associates, looks at images in the central PACS reading room, located just steps from a CT and an MR scanner. Since images are acquired almost instantaneously, Carroll frequently can review images before the study is completely finished. “That allows me to go and intervene, if necessary, and follow the study as it’s being done or ask for further series.” With a Web-based PACS, Western’s neuroradiologists can review images in real-time with referring physicians, all with exactly the same user interface and extensive set of Centricity PACS-IW viewing tools. “They’re able to discuss images with me, with a certain series number and image number. We can even review those things before our report is generated and sent to them,” Carroll says. The system lets referring physicians log on with a unique username and password to access their patients’ images and information. They can call the practice’s physicians to review cases. “We have those images available to us as well, so if there’s an urgent finding, [the referring physician] can be in touch with us closely by telephone and review those findings.” That allows for much more effective interaction and better patient care, he says. Carroll likes the ability, afforded by Web-based PACS, to manipulate the frames of the images with intuitive hanging protocols and multiple presentation states. “I can move, resize and change the layout quite readily,” he says. “And, I can decide for each particular study how I like to review them, and you personalize that. That [positively] affects your practice. If you can predictably know where each image is and you’re able to have it in the format that you want it, you don’t spend half of your time re-doing things.” This and more has helped Western Neurological improve efficiency. “A radiologist’s time is limited and the time per study has decreased with the integration of PACS into our work environment,” says Carroll. Images: a convenience for patients Interventional cardiologist Sherman Sorenson, MD, has a special interest in stroke prevention and works with a heart and brain integrated program at several facilities in the Salt Lake City area. “We do a lot of work with neurologists and neurologic imaging that is integrated with our cardiology imaging.” Sorenson sees patients with neurologic problems and then integrates brain and vascular imaging with cardiology testing. “The ability to see brain imaging, to see intracranial images of the arteries and extracranial images of the arteries, is critical when deciding how to handle cardiac problems that cause neurologic problems, he says. A picture is worth a thousand words, he says, so screening the images is helpful. Since he is not a neuroradiologist, Sorenson has frequent interactions with Carroll and other physicians in the practice about his cardiology patients. “The ability to interact with the physician, while we’re both looking at the images at a remote location, is pretty incredible.” The PACS also helps Sorenson educate his patients about their medical issues. “We have a wireless network, so we show patients their transcranial and echocardiographic images [in our office].” Patients with brain injury are particularly keen on being proactive about their care, he says. “For them to see the actual images themselves is very helpful in understanding what’s going on and in making a decision about therapy.” Health Imaging & IT | Images, Anywhere, Anytime: Web-Based PACS & RIS/PACS July 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Images Anywhere, Anytime: Web-based PACS & RIS/PACS

Images Anywhere, Anytime: Web-based PACS & RIS/PACS Contents Why Web-based PACS Works for the Community Hospital Keeping Referrals Coming: Neuroradiology Group Reaps PACS Benefits Tracking Imaging Center Operations with Web-based RIS/PACS Teleradiology Group Shows Strong Growth Demands Strong PACS Replacement PACS: How to Plan, Purchase & Put It in Place PACS Optimizes Orthopedics Practice

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