Spencer Robison Koch MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Safwan Halabi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, Softek Solutions, Inc

The purpose of this exhibit is to discuss the ethics and privacy issues involved in radiology data mining that were encountered while implementing a new application that allows for instantaneous searching of the entire radiology information system (RIS) at Henry Ford Hospital, a 900 bed teaching facility in Detroit, MI.

The radiology deparment at Henry Ford Hospital recently implemented a software package that initially indexed every report in the RIS, and subsequently indexes new reports as they are added.  This index is maintained on a server separate from the RIS, and has a user-friendly interface for searching the index with nearly instantaneous results.  This represents a significant improvement in the ability to mine data from the RIS as compared to the previous system which required an information technology analyst to reliably gain useful information.  While we quickly realized this software package represented a great opportunity for both education and research, we also realized that guidelines needed to be created to ensure proper use of the software to maintain privacy.

The main ethical problem is to prevent arbitrary searches that reveal priveleged heath information for purposes other than research or education. All research activity for publication must be IRB approved prior to the start of the research project and publication.  Currently, attending physicians and radiology residents use their discretion using the software package to search for teaching cases.  Access is currently restricted to users who have access to the full clinical PACS.  Audit trails are maintained for every search performed.  By default, fifty results are returned per query, and the user's name appears on the audit trail for all of those studies.  The audit trail can be reviewed at any time by the administrator.

When implementing a data mining program, it is important to first consider privacy and ethical issues with the process of data mining.  Key issues include IRB approval, restricting access to physicians and other healtcare professionals who have training in HIPAA, as well as an extensive audit trail process that tracks activity within the data mining program.

This presentation is relevant to all radiology deparments who currently have or are considering implementing a data mining application for thier radiology information system.

Koch, S, Halabi, S, Radiology Data Mining: Ethical and Privacy Considerations.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8013593.html