From the May 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Conformance to DICOM standards is not a realistic expectation for modalities in some enterprise imaging specialties. It is crucial our vendors begin identifying and applying creative ways to leverage standard photo, video, audio and document standards to incorporate this content, while applying more traditional and automated image validation and management methods. Both diagnostic and clinical imaging modalities are becoming more portable. Smart devices are increasingly utilized as the conduit for acquisition and transmission of visible light clinical imaging, and most recently for diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound and ECG. Other mobile diagnostic imaging smart device apps are in development, including one mimicking the diagnostic capabilities of X-ray by using the terahertz frequency of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Whether a veteran or newly embarking on this journey, we will all continue to learn, grow and adapt. In doing so, innovation will be the primary key for moving forward through this era of enterprise medical imaging, and succeeding. As you plan to attend the SIIM 2017 annual meeting, take time to visit the exhibition hall and innovation pavilion. Explore some of the imaging systems built on newer information technologies, which are widely used by other industries to meet the increasing demands for handling big data, scalability, performance, disparate workflows and analytics. In HER fashion, several imaging system vendors now offer enterprise image repository solutions with modular viewers to address workflow-specific needs. Others harmoniously support encounters-based and orders-based imaging workflows, deliver enterprise work-lists and offer multidisciplinary relativity capabilities. Mobile imaging and image exchange applications, which tightly integrate with EHRs, are enabling organizations to achieve greater patient engagement across a wide gamut of imaging specialties.
Today’s imaging informatics professionals are entering a new era and evolution in medical imaging, which is both exciting and challenging. It is our responsibility to learn from and apply our experiences over the past three decades, while expanding our perspective and embracing the new challenges and advances in medical imaging. We look forward to seeing you at the SIIM 2017 annual meeting!
About the author: Dawn Cram is the IS director of enterprise imaging at Ochsner Health System.Back to HCB News
