Luigi Lepanto MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Alain Gauvin MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The radiologist’s work environment is becoming increasingly digital. PACS, RIS, HIS, and digital dictation all represent applications that the radiologist uses in his work. Aside from the obvious ergonomic advantages of accessing these applications through a single interface, improved practices can be encouraged when the RIS and PACS applications are synchronized and accessible through a single keyboard and mouse. The role of the radiologist is to interpret images in the correct clinical context, and this requires information that is not necessarily stored in the PACS database. Certain data is more easily accessible through the PACS, while other data is more easily accessible through the RIS. The ability to move seamlessly between two synchronized applications was a priority in our RIS-PACS implementation.We will describe our experience in implementing a front-end RIS-PACS integration in a multi-vendor setting. The challenge of bringing together different vendors and ensuring completion of the project will be discussed. The requirements for successful bi-directional synchronization of the RIS and PACS at the client level will be described. The testing and implementation period allowed a fine tuning of the integration to best satisfy the radiologist’s needs. Two of the advantages of successful front-end integration include: (1) instant access to relevant history, demographic and procedure information while viewing images on the PACS without additional keyboard or mouse entries, (2) rapid review of images while signing reports electronically in the RIS, ensuring increased quality of the final report.Although implemented 2 years following initial deployment of PACS, front-end RIS-PACS integration would have been very useful in the early transition phase from film-based to film-less operation. In cases where relevant priors were film-based, historical data present in the RIS database would have been instantaneously available while viewing images in the PACS. In our view, front-end RIS-PACS integration should be made a specific requirement at the outset of a PACS implementation.

1. To understand the complementary information content of the RIS and PACS, and how this information is useful to the radiologist.2. To review the technical issues involved in implementing a truly bi-directional and synchronous integration of the RIS and PACS at the client level.3. To review the advantages of front-end RIS-PACS integration.

Lepanto, L, Gauvin, A, Advantages and Difficulties of Implementing Front-end RIS-PACS Integration in a Multi-vendor Setting.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4407171.html