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Radiology Information

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Radiology Information

A radiology information system (RIS) is a computer system designed to support operational workflow and business analysis within a radiology department. As a computerized database used by radiology departments it is a repository of patient data and reports, and contributes to the electronic patient records. RIS can store, manipulate and distribute patient radiological data and imagery. The system generally consists of patient tracking and scheduling, result reporting and image tracking capabilities. RIS complements HIS (Hospital Information Systems) and are critical to efficient workflow to radiology practices.

Radiology information systems commonly support the following features:

Patient Registration and scheduling
Patient List Management
Interface with modality via Work list
Radiology Department workflow management
Request and document scanning
Result(s) Entry
Reporting and printout
Result(s) Delivery including faxing and e-mailing of clinical reports
Patient Tracking
Interactive Documents
Technical Files Creation
Modality and Material management.

In addition a RIS often supports the following:

Appointment booking
PACS workflow
Custom report creation
HL7 interfaces with a PACS.
Billing
Rule engines
Impacts

Implementation of RIS and PACS will involve many areas of health care beyond diagnostic imaging. In order to process and review digital diagnostic ../images, installation or upgrade of general review workstations and clinical diagnostic workstations will occur. This project will affect many diagnostic imaging technologies, such as computed radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT).

Implementation of the solution will affect radiologists; diagnostic imaging managers, technologists and support staff; and medical/clinical staff, including image requestors such as physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. The project team will work with all levels of health care providers to provide the necessary information, communication and training.

Patient Benefits
Improved health care provider access to a patient’s ../images and reports in the right place at the right time

Reduced duplication of Diagnostic Imaging (DI) exams because prior ../images and results will be available electronically to help support health care providers in making diagnosis and treatment decisions

Clinical Benefits for Health Care Providers
A provincially integrated RIS and PACS system eliminates the emphasis on where a test is performed because test results can be shared electronically with other facilities, making better use of diagnostic imaging resources

Radiologists, referring physicians and clinicians will have access to a longitudinal (over time) view of a patient’s radiology history

Health care providers will have timely access to a patient’s relevant prior ../images and reports

Improved toolsets for radiologists, referring physicians, clinicians and orthopaedic surgeons that will allow them to do more with ../images than they could previously with film

Administrative Benefits

Improved access to DI services
Improved management of diagnostic resources and wait lists
Increased productivity and more effective use of existing DI resources
Improved work environments enhance the ability of DSM and regional health authorities to recruit and retain DI resources
Reduced costs related to managing film and duplicating tests because of lack of access to relevant priors, or lost films
Streamlined workflow, including patient registration, modality work lists, transcription, reporting and billing
Improved regional reporting of procedures, workload units and other management information
Electronic patient scheduling for exams and electronic scheduling of DI resources, such as radiologists and radiation technologists

A central patient registry
The architecture of RIS features a master patient index that consolidates all the information in a single database across multiple health service facilities within a specific geographic area. Confidentiality and security are ensured regardless of how the data is retrieved from the central database. By consulting RIS, healthcare professionals have full access to all the information pertaining to their patients, which allows them to provide the best possible patient care.

A higher level of safety
Several functions have been integrated into the system to ensure security. All data is captured in a database that centralizes all the interventions pertaining to an individual patient's file. Electronic signatures ensure that all records are secure, and system access is restricted to authorized users only.

A paperless environment
The Radiology Information System preserves all activities in a central file that can be presented in whatever format the user requires. All information is transmitted electronically, eliminating the need for paper requisitions and consolidated reports.

Future Benefit
Improved view of a patient’s overall condition in the future integrated with other key health information in a single view through the electronic health record.