Medical Imaging Blog

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Challenges of Moving Medical Imaging Into The Cloud

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Medical Imaging In The CloudNetworking and privacy issues are top concerns for managing imaging data in the cloud, which was a topic addressed at the recent RNSA conference. According to Fred Prior, PhD, of Washington University in St. Louis, cloud computing can offer many advantages to medical imaging, but effective project management is crucial to realize any cost savings.

Is the Cloud Implying a False Sense of Security?

Placing the word “cloud” into a computing technology gives the uninitiated a false sense of unlimited space and infallible security. Well, not all networks are created equal. For teaching hospitals affiliated with a university, radiologists are most likely spoiled by the easy access to a high-speed university network. The assumption is that they can push medical images to the “cloud” quickly and with little thought.

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4 Healthcare Technology Trends Supported By Medical Imaging Systems

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Healthcare Technology TrendsMedical imaging systems have continually represented – or helped us to take advantage of – the cutting-edge of healthcare information technology. Here’s a quick look at some of the industry trends these systems will help our field to benefit from through the balance of the year.

1. Mobile Devices. The 2nd Annual HIMSS Mobile Technology Survey published in December 2012 (available for download here) identified an increased use of mobile devices by medical professionals. Meanwhile, a Manhattan Research survey found that 62 percent of physicians used mobile devices in their daily practice last year, double the use from 2011. While 2010 may have been hot for the smartphone, in 2012 use of the media tablet heated up. Expect this trend to grow throughout the year, with goals rooted in more efficient patient care.

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Medical Imaging Critical To Improving Emergency Care: Q&A With Dr. Sandra Schneider Part 3

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Dr. Sandra SchneiderEarlier this week, emergency medicine specialist Dr. Sandra Schneider identified emergency department overcrowding as a symptom of hospital overcrowding in part one of my interview with her.  In part two yesterday, we identified better collaboration between medical imaging and emergency care leaders as critical towards managing overcrowding.

In the final part of my interview below, we put our focus squarely on the patient, as we learn how all of medicine must work together to improve the cost efficiency of care, without sacrificing improvements to patient outcomes.

How do you see the new focus on improving patient outcomes impacting emergency medical care and/or reimbursements?

Continue Reading: Medical Imaging Critical To Improving Emergency Care: Q&A With Dr. Sandra Schneider Part 3

Medical Imaging Critical To Improving Emergency Care: Q&A With Dr. Sandra Schneider Part 2

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Dr. Sandra SchneiderIn part one of my interview with Dr. Sandra Schneider, we identified emergency department overcrowding as a symptom – rather than cause of – overall hospital overcrowding, while dispelling some long held myths regarding the true economic impact of this issue.

While yesterday’s interview provided more context, the fact remains that emergency department overcrowding is an issue all the same.  And with the roll-out of health care reform, many expect it to continue to grow in severity.

Continue Reading: Medical Imaging Critical To Improving Emergency Care: Q&A With Dr. Sandra Schneider Part 2

Medical Imaging Critical To Improving Emergency Care: Q&A With Dr. Sandra Schneider Part 1

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Dr. Sandra SchneiderOver the last several years, emergency department overcrowding has become a troubling issue, one that can become an easy scapegoat for the massive health care cost overruns we have become accustomed to hearing about.

But is emergency department overcrowding a cause – or a symptom – of something larger?  And whether emergency department overcrowding is a cause or a symptom, how can healthcare organizations use new technology, including medical imaging, as a cure?

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New Medical Imaging Technology Developed To Overcome Multi-Facility Challenges

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Medical Image of Hand“A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.”|
John Gall, The Systems Bible

Gall’s quote above can be very readily applied to meeting the needs of multi-facility hospitals and health care organizations, particularly, the needs of the medical imaging department. Some of the more common challenges with managing medical imaging across multiple facilities include:

  • Radiologist travel needs
  • Slow report turnaround times
  • Disparate systems containing incomplete patient information

And it was this last challenge in particular, coupled with over 1,100 medical imaging system installations, that helped to drive the development of the newest enterprise medical imaging solutions from McKesson.

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Are Radiologists The True Medical Imaging Gatekeepers?

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Medical Imaging GatekeepersIn the business world, “gatekeeper” has come to be known as the person who controls access to the decision maker. In medicine, a primary care physician monitors a patient’s health care and serves as gatekeeper for HMO services. If you’re a radiologist reading this, it’s likely that you’ve never considered yourself a gatekeeper of anything.

But, Alan Kaye, MD, recommended utilizing imaging gatekeeping as a means to hinder the increasing commoditization of medical imaging in his session presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

“Gatekeeping” Benefits Patients

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How Enterprise Imaging Can Support Patient Throughput Goals

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Emergency MedicineSoon, healthcare organizations in the U.S. will be reimbursed on pay-for-performance model based on 17 core measures as well as consumer survey reports. While reimbursements only measure scores from inpatients, emergency department (ED) operations will have a huge impact.

As the “front door” of most facilities, the ED has a tremendous opportunity to influence both a patient’s perception of care and clinical quality.

Creating a “Patient Flow Standard”

The Joint Commission (TJC) established the “patient flow standard” which addresses how leadership uses data and measurements to identify, mitigate and manage issues affecting patient flow through the hospital. (Source: The National Law Review)

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How Medical Imaging Advances Lead To Better Patient Experiences

Positive Patient Experience

In 2009, U.S. policymakers drafted health reform legislation aimed at improving the quality of health care and slowing the growth of spending. One year later, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act, improving access to health care for millions of uninsured Americans.

Quality of care and access to care are just two improvements that lead to a better patient experience; the third is advances in medical imaging.

4 Components to Improved Patient Care

Medical imaging advances have led to a better patient experience in four key areas:

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Adapting to Medical Imaging Merger Cultural Changes

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Medical Imaging MergersThe “only constant is change” is an old and often used adage in the healthcare industry today. One of the biggest changes underway in the industry is accommodation of the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act, coupled with an aging population, is set to transform health care delivery as we know it.

With these changes comes the need to reduce both health costs and utilization, which has led to a significant increase in mergers and acquisitions among radiology groups over the past two years. As with any industry, merging with another company is complex. If two cultures don’t fit, like the merger of Time-Warner and AOL, that mismatch can be costly and damaging long after the ink on the deal has dried.

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