Spencer Robison Koch MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Safwan Safar Halabi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Simple strategies can be employed to bridge gaps between unlinked workstations by unifying worklists and utilizing open source software solutions.  These strategies increase productivity by eliminating incorrectly linked reports, decreasing redundant exam preview / interpretation and reducing repetitive motion injuries with improved ergonomics.

In an ideal PACS environment, a designated radiologist links their report to the corresponding exam images automatically and without error.  Due to limitations of software and hardware compatibility, separate devices may be necessary to display images and generate reports with voice recognition (VR) software.  This technical dichotomy introduces the potential of: (1) linking the wrong report to the exam; (2) redundant image preview/interpretation; and, (3) workstation clutter and confusion. 

The Ultrasound Section at Henry Ford Health System utilizes McKesson workstations to preview and interpret ultrasound exams.  The other imaging sections within the radiology department utilize Phillips iSite Radiology workstations. Image reporting is performed with Nuance PowerScribe which runs in conjunction with or independent from iSite Radiology. Linking a report to the incorrect exam occurred when exams were incorrectly entered into the VR software by the radiologist. Redundant image preview and interpretation occurred when exams were locked in the VR software by one radiologist and being previewed by another radiologist.  Having two CPUs, keyboards, and mice caused delay and confusion between image preview and interpretation in addition to potentially increasing repetitive stress injury at the workstation.

Incorrect exam reports were avoided by utilizing the general imaging worklist when generating reports thus avoiding human error. Redundant image preview and interpretation was solved by locking the exam in the VR software before previewing the exam in the ultrasound PACS.  Exams were removed from the worklist when reports were finalized. Workstation redundancy was reduced with the implementation of Synergy2 open source software released under the GNU Public License.  This free software linked the PACS and VR workstations.

Koch, S, Halabi, S,

Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Integrating Imaging and Dictation Workstations.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6005893.html