1. Regarding PACS, what challenges are unique to a high-volume private practice?

Generally speaking radiologists in a private practice are expected to handle a larger patient volume than those in other settings. Academic institutions tyically have residents and medical students where teaching and research are high priorities. This being said the lessons learned from a private practice are readily applicable to other settings.

2. What are three simple things most high-volume private practices can do to better use their PACS?

Have a good relationship with your PACS administrators. Recognize them as an integral part of the medical team rather than a “help desk”.

Get involved with the administration of your PACS. Take an active role in the purchasing and implementation decisions. The time spent by one or two radiologists will be returned to the whole group in the form of increased efficiency.

Analyse your own workflow for areas where you waste time. Try to automate those processes by altering your workflow.

3. Are certain PACS better suited to high-volume private practices than others?

Yes, however this is often due to the variety of cases that high volume practices see rather than the volume itself. If you have a nail and a piece of wood, a hammer gets the job done efficiently at a relatively low cost. If you are building a house, you need more than a hammer. In the end, trying to build the house with a hammer alone will cost you more and leave you with a result with which you will not be happy.

Don’t forget to register for this upcoming online event on November 17 to hear more from Dr. Patti and other PACS experts.

Follow McKesson Medical Imaging on Twitter and Facebook for the latest conference updates and to receive essential radiology and cardiology information.

“PACS in the Age of Change” is the theme. Time to network and chat with vendors will occur after these exciting presentations:

• Meaningful Use in Radiology Applies to You — Dr. Keith Dreyer, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Informatics Tools to Improve Radiology Reporting — Dr. Katherine Andriole, Harvard Medical School
• Managing the Transition from 2D PACS to 3D PACS — Dr. David Hirschorn, Staten Island University Hospital
• Redesigning Your Radiology Department to Save Body and Mind – Dr. Eliot Siegel, University of Maryland
• Successfully leveraging PACS to be more efficient in a high volume private practice – Dr. Jay Patti, Mecklenberg Radiology Associates
• Strategies for Enterprise Imaging: From EMR Integration to Supporting the ‘ologies – Dr. Paul Chang, University of Chicago

Q&A time will follow each session.

If you can’t make RSNA 2010 at the end of the month, this is an ideal way to learn about the latest in PACS and network with other radiology professionals.

The conference is hosted by Aunt Minnie, the first comprehensive community Internet site for radiologists and related professionals in the medical imaging industry.

You can preview the conference before you register.  Again, registration is easy and free.

Follow McKesson Medical Imaging on Twitter and Facebook for the latest conference updates and to receive essential radiology and cardiology information.

The role of ultrasound in modern medicine and healthcare IT has increased monumentally over the last 50 years.  Whereas extremely invasive surgical procedures were required for the diagnosis and analyzing of a great deal of illnesses and diseases, now ultrasound technologies allow for the fast imaging and diagnosis without the invasive surgery.  Staying up-to-date with the technologies, cases and innovations occurring within the field is vital to the performance and efficiency of operations.

A great method of staying current with the ever-changing world of radiology and cardiology is to leverage associations that are dedicated to compiling and synthesizing data into easy-to-consume formats.

One association doing just that is the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, or AIUM, has been officially established since 1952.  A the time of their establishment, the use of ultrasound as a tool for diagnosis was still very much in its infancy and the need for an association to keep pace with the quickly innovating field was at hand.

Since then, the AIUM has been advancing the art and science of ultrasound in medicine and research through educational, scientific and also professional activities.  Now, they remain one of the most successful, reputable and creditable associations in the world due to the involvement of ultrasound professionals, physicians, scientists, engineers and healthcare IT personnel.

The AIUM also puts out the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine that provides timely information on tests, technologies, case studies and news.  They also host conventions, like the upcoming AIUM Convention that will take place in New York City in April.

Feel free to check out the AIUM for access to current and innovative news on all things Ultrasound and its use in diagnosis and treatment.  If you’re looking for more, check out this of other healthcare IT and radiology associations.

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Check out the two organizations below, or access our complete list of healthcare IT associations.

American Academy of Medical Administrators: AAMA represents multi-disciplinary healthcare management at all levels, within all health organizations. It promotes professional development and credentials through continuing education and research in healthcare management. AAMA provides colleges that focus on specific specialties of healthcare administration, including health plan management, healthcare information and oncology.

Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance: MITA represents medical imaging equipment manufacturers, innovators and product developers. The medical imaging association provides leadership on legislative and regulatory issues at the state, federal and international level. MITA also serves as a standards development organization for medical imaging equipment.

To receive the latest updates on healthcare IT and medical imaging, subscribe to the Medical Imaging Talk blog via RSS feed or email.

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February 21-26
Abdominal Radiology Course 2010
Orlando
The Abdominal Radiology Course 2010, presented by the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists and the Society of Uroradiology, will highlight new and emerging diagnostic imaging technologies for abdominal and pelvic pathology. The course, designed for practicing radiologists and those in training, will feature lectures, panel discussions and interactive workshops.

March 3-6
11^th Annual Advances in Breast Imaging and Interventions
Las Vegas
This course, presented by Stanford Department of Radiology, will address current advances in breast imaging and interventions. Attendees will discover how advances in digital mammography, ultrasound and MRI are impacting the way physicians diagnose and evaluate suspicious masses. The course will also discuss how techniques to improve interpretation and patient assessment are helping physicians make better cost-effective decisions for optimal breast cancer detection.

Subscribe to the Medical Imaging Talk blog via RSS feed or email to receive updates on all the latest medical imaging news. Or follow us on Twitter.

Jan. 31-Feb. 4
Tutorials in Diagnostic Radiology
Maui, Hawaii
Mayo Clinic Tutorials in Diagnostic Radiology is a postgraduate course designed to update diagnostic radiologists on the latest radiology trends, techniques and applications in diagnostic imaging. Much of the course will be presented in a case-based, interactive format. To foster interaction between attendees and faculty, an interactive audience response system will be used during some course lectures.

Feb. 20
Essentials for the Advanced Mammographer
Raleigh, N.C.
Attend this course for an update on digital mammography, as well as information on breast pathology, mammography artifacts and special procedures. Gain a thorough understanding of the process of breast pathology to help increase your comprehensive approach to breast imaging. Breast cancer assessment will be demonstrated through an introduction to pathology terminology, case studies and technical analysis.

View our full list of upcoming radiology events or suggest an event to include on this list in the comments section below.

American Medical Informatics Association: AMIA’s 4,000 members include physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, researchers, educators and others from more than 65 countries. The association exists to improve quality of care by advancing the use of health information and communications technology in clinical care and research. Members have access to AMIA books, publications, national meetings and specialty events. The association’s website features a job center, industry news, an e-learning center and podcasts.

American Association for Women Radiologists: AAWR was founded in 1981 to provide a forum for women in radiology to discuss the issues unique to them, as well as to increase the visibility of women in radiology. Members of the radiology association can network with fellow women in their field; participate in mentoring programs; attend national meetings, educational courses and lecture luncheons; and gain recognition for achievements through 7 different awards programs.

Access a full list of radiology and healthcare IT associations.

Between case-based reviews, hands-on workshops and self-study exhibits, health care professionals returned home with a wealth of information on:

• Pediatric radiology
• Obstetric/gynecological radiology
• Musculoskeletal radiology
• Oncologic radiology
• Chest imaging
• Emergency radiology
• Neuroradiology

The 2009 radiology and medical imaging conference offered more exhibits and sessions for radiologists, radiation oncologists, physicists in medicine and radiologic technologists than ever before, including:

• 685 technical exhibits
• More than 1,800 education and informatics exhibits
• 1,750 scientific papers in 16 subspecialties
• 237 refresher courses and 114 multi-sessions

As we move into 2010, stay up to date on next year’s upcoming radiology events by bookmarking our regularly updated list of Radiology and Healthcare IT Associations and Events.

Dec. 7-11
National Diagnostic Imaging Symposium
Orlando, Florida
This conference features 120 lectures and concurrent sessions. Attendees will learn how to apply imaging techniques to a radiology practice, how to utilize CT and MR angiography, and how to implement protocols for MRI of the heart, head, abdomen, pelvis and musculoskeletal system. The symposium will also discuss digital mammography and breast MRI.

Dec. 11
Radiation Safety in Imaging Today
Houston, Texas
This course provides vital radiation safety information for both technologists and non-technologists performing exams. Attendees will learn basic radiation safety, the role of a radiation safety program, the effect of ionizing radiation, radiation detection and personal protection methods in regards to ionizing radiation.

Access our full list of healthcare IT, imaging and radiology events, along with radiology and healthcare IT associations. Check back each month, as these lists will be constantly updated with new events and additional associations.

Suggest a medical imaging, radiology or healthcare IT event to include on this list.

Discover what these two healthcare IT and radiology associations can offer you:

American Association for Women Radiologists: AAWR was founded in 1981 to provide a forum for the issues that are unique to women in radiology, radiation oncology and related professions. The organization sponsors programs that promote opportunities for women and sponsors several awards programs for women in radiology. AAWR provides women radiologists, radiation oncologists, radiation physicists and radiation biologists the opportunity to network with one another.

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society: HIMSS focuses on providing global leadership on the optimal use of healthcare information technology and management systems for the betterment of the healthcare field. The organization sponsors many national and international conferences and webinars throughout the year. It also offers members an online social networking community, as well as access to publications and research.

To learn about additional radiology and healthcare IT associations, view our full listings. We’ll be updating this list every month, so check back often.