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Synchronizing EMR and PACS

September 25, 2014
From the July 2014 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine

The ability for radiologists to deliver reports with an embedded image is another important capability available with some PACS and reporting systems. An image can be more powerful than a few sentences in a report, and many referring physicians appreciate seeing an image that depicts the diagnosis. Embedding one or more key images in the report also may prevent the need for a physician to log onto the PACS and view the entire imaging study.

Streamlined workflow eliminates logging into multiple systems
Achieving a streamlined imaging workflow requires synchronization of patient context between the EMR and PACS.This eliminates the need for radiologists and other physicians to log onto multiple systems and duplicate patient searches — which is impractical within the pace of modern health care delivery.



If a facility has an EMR-driven workflow like ours does, the radiologist is always in touch with the patient’s electronic chart. Facilities with a PACS-driven workflow (which is much more common) need to synchronize the PACS with the EMR. Either way, the EMR must be open when the radiologist is reading the imaging study to gain the benefits described above.

Health care facilities with EMRs and PACS systems need to optimize their investment in technology to establish an efficient way for physicians and radiologists to communicate with each other that both boosts productivity and helps enhance patient care.

About the author: Cree M. Gaskin, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Radiology, Medical Imaging and Orthopaedic Surgery and Vice-Chair of Informatics for the University of Virginia Health System.



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