The companies Philips and Microsoft announced recently that they will work together to create a more efficient radiology workflow and process. The goal of their partnership to is allow a radiologist to easily see a complete patient history by accessing only one IT system. Currently a radiologist must open multiple IT systems such as I-site PACs (picture archiving and communication system), ADT (admissions, discharge, transfer) data, as well as other systems in order to obtain a patient’s history[i]. Philips, which developed the I-site PACs, a database which holds patients images, will be connected to Microsoft Amalga, a database which will access the patient’s stored on other systems[ii]. The new technology will allow the user of the I-site to access the patient’s history without opening other IT applications.
Due to the increase in medical imaging, hospitals are looking for ways in which to create an efficient workflow in the radiology department. As one article stated, “The entire imaging cycle includes identifying the patient data, conducting the imaging exam according to proper protocols, and then streamlining and processing the data in a timely manner”[iii]. The aim of Philips and Microsoft is to streamline the process, creating a quicker way to access the patients data stored on various applications.
I think that Philips and Microsoft are making a smart move in using IT to simplify the workflow of radiology. As a Dr. Chang stated, “What good is it to have a patient scanned in two seconds if I don’t read the study for four hours?”[iv] The doctor makes a good point that the efficiency of the whole imaging process is based not only on the amount of time used to take the scan but also on the doctor’s ability to view the image and analyze the results based on the patients history. With one click the user of the Philips and Microsoft system will be able see a patients scans as well as their medical data stored on other applications[v]. This easy access to patient’s data will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes the radiologist to analyze the results.
In addition, the development of this technology fits in with the value chain model, increasing the efficiency of determining the results of a scan and returning that answer to the physicians. With the technology developed by the partnership of Philips and Microsoft, the aspects of taking and returning the scans will be speed up in the primary process of the radiology value chain model. Overall this will result in a quicker and more efficient way to handle the image analysis done by radiologists.
[i] "Philips and Microsoft Collaborate to Streamline Radiology Workflow And... -- ANDOVER, Mass. and REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/." PR Newswire: Press Release Distribution, Targeting, Monitoring and Marketing. Web. 21 Feb. 2011.
[iii] Bolan, Christen C. "Best Practices in Radiology Workflow Scranton Gillette Communications: ITN and DAIC." Imaging Technology News (2010). Scranton Gillette Communications: ITN and DAIC. Web. 21 Feb. 2011.
[iv] Bolan, Christen C. "Best Practices in Radiology Workflow Scranton Gillette Communications: ITN and DAIC." Imaging Technology News (2010). Scranton Gillette Communications: ITN and DAIC. Web. 21 Feb. 2011.
The partnering of Philips and Microsoft has many advantages and will most likely continue the development of the IT industry in healthcare. While the patients are the main benefactors of this collaboration, there are also other groups that will benefit. Patients will benefit because there are times when a quick decision needs to be made if a patient goes into critical condition. Waiting possibly hours to retrieve the patient’s medical history could cost them their life. This partnership also brings about the possibility for new jobs in the security of these PAC and ADT systems. The fact that more information is available to more people in more places means that there is a possibility someone could tap into the system. Therefore, this giant database must be protected with the most up-to-date information technology in order to insure that all patients’ records will only be available to those doctors who should have access.
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