Annotated Bibliography: DICOM

The advancement in technology has rapidly transformed the world today, and the increase in the number of web-enabled devices has completely changed peoples ' lives especially the way they communicate. Electronic Health Record system, which is a digital copy of a patient’s medical history is one of the revolutionary ideas that have come with this advancement. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are instantaneously updating records that are patient-centered designed with the aim of providing real-time information to the authorized users (Cohen, 2010). It contains all the patient’s information that is in the hand of the medical providers including their medical history, treatment dates and types, immunizations conducted to the patient and their dates, radiology images and all the laboratory results from the tests conducted in the past. All this information is held in a digital format and can only be updated by authorized users who are stationed in the medical facilities. Electronic records are designed to make it easy for different health providers and organizations to share patients’ information which streamlines their operations since all the necessary information and history can be accessed from any location at any time.

It is no secret that the medical profession deals with some of population’s most valuable records; their health information. Not so long ago there was only one method of keeping medical records and this was utilizing paper charts. These charts, although still used in many practices today, have slowly been replaced by a more advanced method; electronic medical records or EMR’s. “The manner in which information is currently employed in healthcare is highly inefficient, which slows down communication and can, as a result, reduce the emergence and

“a paperless, digital and computerized system of maintaining patient data, designed to increase the efficiency and reduce documentation errors by streamlining the process.”(Santiago, n.d., para. 1)

The second system within PFCH is the OsiriX (OsiriX, 2010) imaging software. OsiriX is the primary application employed for the Modality Viewing Stations in the Radiology department for PFCH. OsiriX is application, which processes the imagery and is ultimately designed to capture, manage, maintain, view and print the imagery. OsiriX as well transmits Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine or DICOM images produced by various other medical imagery equipment. This equipment includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, Positron Emission Tomography, and the other various medical imagery technologies. Ultimately DICOM has a unique file format definition and leverages a network communications protocol that uses TCP/IP

Along with the new technologies applying in healthcare, the documentation processes and storages also change from paper charts to computer-based electronic health records (EHR). Many healthcare organizations currently maintain patients’ health records in both formats of paper and electronic. The combination is known as hybrid health record system, which is used to assist in different methods that patients’ information is collected. Hybrid health records (HHR) contain specific patients’ health information. HHRs are stored manually and electronically in multiple places. Current patients’ health records usually contain both digital documents and handwritten notes. Patients’ data are electronically stored, such as laboratory, radiology tests,

Since the optical imaging system makes the medical record concurrently available via the web or server, most of coders and chart analysis staff can work at home. Individual working from home must meet productivity and quality standards before this privileged is granted and retention of staff is very good. Contract coders are also able to coder remotely. This does decrease their cost and ensure quality of coding while at the same time emphasizing the volume.

The orders are then communicated over the network to the staff in the departments of the hospital, to give them treatment instruction on a given patient. The images can then be captured, and then stored. After that they are made available for the purpose of analysis by physicians. The physicians do not have to do analysis while at the hospital; they can do it anywhere anytime, even at their respective homes.

a. The combination of computers, videoconferencing, and digitized medical records that can be transported via satellite or high-speed telephone lines

Record retention may take form of paper documents, microfilm and x-ray imaging, and must be maintained in a way information is accessible for clinical reference upon request.

Prior to the Information Age, medical records were all stored in folders in secure filing cabinets at doctor’s offices, hospitals, or health departments. The information within the folders was confidential, and shared solely amongst the patient and physician. Today these files are fragmented across multiple treatment sites due to the branching out of specialty centers such as urgent care centers, magnetic resonance imaging, outpatient surgical centers, and other diagnostic centers. Today’s ability to store medical records electronically has made it possible to easily send these files from one location to another. However, the same technology which can unify the fragmented pieces of a patient’s medical record has the ability to also create

Electronic Medical Records or Computerized Medical Record System what is it and what are the advantages along with the disadvantages of using this system? That is what we will discuss in this paper.

Communication is the key to relating in all environments. When communication lines are broken, it makes take in jobs and personal relationship suffer. In medical environment communication is key in running hospital, nursing home and community care providers. With technology our communication has advanced because now we have electronic medical records. Electronic medical records are a way of providing the medical staff and insurance on the patient health information and insurance coverage. As stated by About.com, “This also provide the doctors away to for individual patients, access to good care becomes easier and safer when

In the clinical setting, this software offers an option to store patient's images before and after their treatment is done. With this features, one can compare

Traditionally doctors have worked on paper medical records, resulting in a series of problems to be solved daily. For example: the lack of clarity of the notes, the lack of statistics and reports, the large physical space needed to archive records, the high cost of stationery, etc. are some of the problems they must deal. Computers have come to solve these problems. Moving from "paper" to "digital" is a big change that brings many benefits as faster access to clinical patient information, better storage of medical data, great flexibility to record the information for each its electronic patient medical history, good interoperability between different medical areas to be able to share the data of people served, which directly affects a profit

The hospital wanted a better flow of information and increased emphasis on patient confidentiality. This system resulted in a higher quality experience for patients while simultaneously limiting the mistakes created by illegible writing and poor communication. It also provided the added security of privileged patient information. Many hospitals are switching to digital files and if the other hospitals don’t want to fall behind the competition, then they have to adapt. Patients expect things to be handled quickly and efficiently. Using new technology makes physical records outdated and bothersome. The DMC believes that following through with this project has offered a more comfortable experience for patients that will make them continue to choose the DMC for their hospital care. It has also greatly enhanced the workplace experience for their employees. Employees are now able to complete tasks quicker and easier than before leading to a less stressful work