Improving clinical workflow is a constant goal for health care providers, as it allows them to seamlessly diagnose and treat patients with few complications. To do this, radiologists require PACS software that facilitates image management and allows for the fluid coordination of care among medical staff.
However, PACS have encountered roadblocks in sharing patient data due to a number of reasons, including lacking interoperability and incomplete clinical records.
Why PACS workflow needs help
Speaking at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, Cree Gaskin, M.D., stressed the importance of sharing patient data across the enterprise. While it is integral to the continuum of care, few radiologists have actually been able to benefit from the practice due to constraints with health information exchange.
"Clinical information provides context for image interpretation, it may lead to a second focused look, and you are going to have fewer misses," Gaskin told the RSNA audience. "Instead of a long list of differential diagnoses, we can say given the clinical context, this is most likely X."
During her presentation, Gaskin pointed to a medical malpractice case against Brigham and Women's Hospital that was filed in June 2014. A radiologist had missed evidence of lung cancer in a woman's chest X-ray, and when the patient returned more than a year later with worsened symptoms, CT scans revealed advanced lung malignancies. The cancer had spread to her kidney, liver, spine and pubic bone before she died at the age of 47. The patient's daughter sued the radiologist on her mother's behalf and was awarded $16.7 million.
Without a full medical history, the radiologist was unaware that the patient had an extensive smoking history and that lung cancer ran in her family. This vital piece of clinical data failed to be delivered to the clinician in a timely manner, which is merely one example of the shortcomings of PACS workflow.
Thankfully, revamping PACS and image management were notable topics at RSNA 2014. With improving internal processes as a priority for many diagnostic imaging practices, there are key takeaways from the event to consider.
Improving access to images in PACS
Healthcare Executive Insight explained that the PACS market is shifting to "deconstruct" these platforms and making them more vendor neutral for providers. To compete with changes in the industry, radiologists might consider adopting an Enterprise Imaging Platform to enable vendor neutral archiving capabilities.
These products can help doctors intelligently manage and control storage of medical imaging results, improve radiology workflows across departments and add scans to existing EHR software. In addition, radiologists can implement visualization tools that serve as zero footprint diagnostic solutions, which stream data out of the EIP for easy recall.
The future of image management is bright, but reliant on advanced systems from developers who understand the needs of radiologists. Improved visibility and decision support can enhance the care process and propel practices forward in 2015.
Contact Viztek for more information.
Ronny Bachrach
Latest posts by Ronny Bachrach (see all)
- Konica Minolta Debuts First-of-Its-Kind Digital U-Arm System at AHRA - July 27, 2016
- Researchers Detect Signs Of Stroke Risk Using MRI - June 27, 2016
- Imaging Biz: Q&A with David S. Channin MD: How to Make PACS Patient Centered - June 22, 2016
0
0
0
