Medical Imaging Blog

Medical Imaging: Our Future

North Dakota to Invest $5 Million in Medical Records & Imaging Technology

Jul 16
1

North Dakota’s congressional delegation has recently announced that the state’s IT department is receiving a grant of over $5 million to apply to medical records and imaging technology.

The grant is part of a much larger national effort to establish a health information exchange that will drastically improve the quality and efficiency of health care.

By applying money toward medical records technology and medical imaging, outdated equipment will be updated and digital records will be created that can be accessed instantly and shared easily.  The ability for instant-access anywhere will reduce turn-around time and improve patient care.

Continue Reading: North Dakota to Invest $5 Million in Medical Records & Imaging Technology

Why Has a Government Panel Recommended Foregoing Radiology Screening for Breast Cancer?

Apr 15
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With an increasing number of studies revealing the benefits of digital mammography and other screening practices, it comes as a surprise that a government panel has suggested certain female demographics forego radiology screening for breast cancer.

According to a HealthLeaders Media article, radiology groups have found themselves at odds with the US Preventative Services Task Force, which has recommended:

  • Women over age 74 stop all breast cancer screening
  • Women ages 50-70 have screenings every other year
  • Women ages 40-49 forego annual screening mammograms
Continue Reading: Why Has a Government Panel Recommended Foregoing Radiology Screening for Breast Cancer?

Medical Imaging Technology Necessitates Patient Health Information Bill of Rights

Apr 12
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As the healthcare industry moves closer toward mass digitization, there is also growing concern among patients regarding the ease of data accessibility associated with medical imaging technology.

To meet these privacy and security concerns, the Chicago-based American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is promoting a new Health Information Bill of Rights.

A recent Modern Healthcare report discusses the Health Information Bill of Rights and its seven-point platform that addresses the proliferation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and encourages strict data protection from healthcare providers. In addition, AHIMA outlines five other points in its Health Information Bill of Rights:

Continue Reading: Medical Imaging Technology Necessitates Patient Health Information Bill of Rights

Smart Phone Apps Could Allow Portable Medical Imaging Analysis to Clinicians

Apr 06
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A 2009 survey conducted by Manhattan Research reported that more than 60% of physicians are using smartphones, a number that is expected to jump another 20% by 2012. In addition, according to a report from American Medical News, physicians may soon be able to conduct medical imaging analysis and make diagnostic decisions straight from their smartphone. In fact, there is already application software in development that has proven accurate and efficient in clinical trials.

For example, a recent study by the Radiological Society of North America found a majority of radiologists were able to correctly diagnose appendicitis by accessing Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) using an iPhone app.

Continue Reading: Smart Phone Apps Could Allow Portable Medical Imaging Analysis to Clinicians

National Digital Teaching Library Possible with Radiology PACS

Mar 31
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Gone are the days of radiologists keeping a file cabinet full of interesting imaging cases to use when junior radiologists required examples of particular conditions.

With a growing number of hospitals installing radiology Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), this former teaching method has all but disappeared.

But while the method may be gone, the teaching practice can still exist and thrive, according to a recent article by Nicola Strickland of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

The article appeared in a recent issue of Medical Imaging Technology and was commissioned by McKesson. It suggests the creation of a national digital teaching library, which would contain images contributed by radiologists with varied experience from across the country.

Continue Reading: National Digital Teaching Library Possible with Radiology PACS

Medical Imaging Solution Enhances the Patient Experience at Bloomington Hospital

Mar 23
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Bloomington Hospital's Medical Imaging SolutionBefore implementing a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and Radiology Information System (RIS), Bloomington Hospital faced the same challenge as many multi-facility hospitals.

While its facilities shared the same patients, they didn’t share patient information and images.

Bloomington Hospital needed a medical imaging solution that would help it enhance the overall patient experience – from ordering to report distribution.

Specifically, the Indiana hospital was in search of a medical imaging solution to eliminate:

  • Slow report turnaround times and delayed patient treatments
  • The need for radiologists to travel long distances to other facilities to interpret exams
Continue Reading: Medical Imaging Solution Enhances the Patient Experience at Bloomington Hospital

Report: Hospitals Not Meeting Electronic Medical Record Stimulus Requirements

Mar 11
1

A new report from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS) has found that hospitals will face significant challenges in order to comply with health IT requirements of the federal economic stimulus package.

HIMSS compared the requirements of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) stimulus against its 7-stage Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Adoption Model (see image below).

The majority of HITECH requirements fall under the most difficult Electronic Medical Record categories – categories that very few hospitals currently meet, a recent article from Government Health IT points out:

Continue Reading: Report: Hospitals Not Meeting Electronic Medical Record Stimulus Requirements

Radiology Information System (RIS) Market to Reach $415.8 million by 2013

Feb 19
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The future looks bright for diagnostic imaging.

According to a report from ReportLinker, worldwide diagnostic imaging and Radiology Information System (RIS) markets will reach $415.8 million by 2013. Moreover, as RIS systems are integrated with electronic patient records, market growth may be even stronger.

The ability to identify additional diseases at an earlier stage through diagnostic imaging will stimulate the demand for information management systems.

The report pinpoints key drivers of diagnostic imaging and radiology information system market growth, including:

  • Lower costs
  • Improved efficiency
  • Complete audit trails
  • Centralized patient information
  • Help to achieve HIPAA compliance
Continue Reading: Radiology Information System (RIS) Market to Reach $415.8 million by 2013

Could Secondary Use of Electronic Medical Records Be Your Healthcare Organization’s Greatest Asset?

Feb 17
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The immediate, primary benefits of electronic medical records are well-recognized: improved efficiency for physicians and enhanced safety for patients.

But what are the secondary benefits?

According to a recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, secondary use of electronic medical records may become a healthcare organizations’ greatest asset over the next five years. Data mined from health information systems could help improve patient care, predict trends in public health and reduce healthcare costs.

The survey, “Transforming Healthcare Through Secondary Use of Health Data,” found 90% of healthcare executives say the secondary use of health information from electronic health records will significantly improve patient care.

Continue Reading: Could Secondary Use of Electronic Medical Records Be Your Healthcare Organization’s Greatest Asset?

Patients Demand Online Access to Radiology Results

Feb 11
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Radiology Information Systems (RIS) have come a long way in streamlining tasks and providing 24/7 access to radiology results for physicians across an enterprise.

But results from a recent Wake Forest University School of Medicine study show there still may be one missing piece of the puzzle. According to the study, many patients are dissatisfied with the lack of detail in MRI, CT scan and ultrasound test results – as well as the amount of time it takes to receive results.

Patients in the study want online access to radiology results as soon as they are available to enable them to:

Continue Reading: Patients Demand Online Access to Radiology Results
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