Integrated radiology information system, picture archiving and communications system, and teleradiology - Workflow-driven and future-proof

The proliferation of integrated radiology information system/picture archiv ing and communication system (RIS/PACS) and teleradiology has been slow bec ause of two concerns: usability and economic return. A major dissatisfactio n on the usability issue is that contemporary systems are not intelligent e nough to support the logical workflow of radiologists. We propose to better understand the algorithms underlying the radiologists' reading process, an d then embed this intelligence into the software program so that radiologis ts can interact with the system with less conscious effort. Regarding econo mic return issues, people are looking for insurance against obsolescence in order to protect their investments. We propose to future-proof a system by sticking to the following principles: compliance to industry standards, co mmercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, and modularity. An integrated RIS /PACS and teleradiology system designed to be workflow-driven and future-pr oof is being developed at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Cop yright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.