Michael Tse-Yin Lu MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Wyatt Michael Tellis PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

David E. Avrin MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Stockholder, Amirsys, Inc Consultant, Amirsys, Inc

To retrospectively assess utilization, storage, and formal reinterpretation of imaging studies imported to PACS.

Retrospective review identified imaging studies performed at outside hospitals that were imported to our institution’s PACS from January 2007 through December 2009. We assessed the number of imported studies, the percentage of imported studies relative to all imaging studies archived to PACS, and whether a formal reinterpretation was rendered. We determined the storage size in bytes and the modality of each imported study.

From January 2007 to December 2009, a total of 928,104 studies were archived to PACS. 115,209 (12%) were imported studies. 10,128 (8.8%) of the imported studies received formal reinterpretations. In January 2007, a total of 23,118 studies were archived to PACS. 1,837 (7.9%) were imported studies. In December 2009, 4,250 out of 28,421 (15%) imaging studies were imported. Both the number and percentage of imported studies significantly increased over the study period (p < 0.01). In December 2009, the majority of imported studies were MRIs (33% 1,402/4,250) and CTs (32% 1,362/4,250). Imported studies accounted for 210 GB out of 1.4 TB (15%) of PACS data storage for that month.

From January 2007 to December 2009, the number of imported studies per month doubled (1,837 to 4,250) and the percentage of imported studies per month nearly doubled (7.9% to 15%). Imported studies accounted for a large percentage of total PACS storage requirements. 8.8% of imported studies received a formal reinterpretation.

Importing outside imaging is feasible and technically economical. Demand for this service is increasing and consumes significant professional resources. Thus, a mechanism for reimbursement is needed.

Lu, M, Tellis, W, Avrin, D, Three-year Experience Importing Outside Hospital Imaging to PACS: Utilization, Storage, and Formal Reinterpretation.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9000920.html