PACS Powers the Enterprise

Vendors at RSNA 2007 are rolling out a host of new features designed to streamline radiology workflow. More are offering ER discrepancy tools to help hospitals identify and manage mismatches between the initial ER and final radiology interpretations. Other features, such as instant report alerts, boost communication with referring physicians to expedite care and improve service. Visitors also can view an array of dashboard tools. Some help facilities monitor and measure performance, while others enable PACS vendors to monitor the system and proactively identify and manage problems.

Agfa HealthCare (Booth 4106) is highlighting its solutions in radiology imaging and imaging informatics and launching a new set of Impax suites and a new line-up of workflow solutions supported by expert services.
   

Amicas (Booth 2583) is highlighting RadStream and debuting both VisionReach 2.0 and Vision Series PACS Version 5.5.

The RadStream workflow makes possible the automation and documentation of critical results communication and the prioritization of imaging exams based on a “most likely to interrupt” logic. Amicas successfully integrated the technology into RealTime Worklist. RadStream also complements the Vision Reach referring physician portal.

Vision Reach 2.0 now includes follow-up order entry, allowing a referring physician to order a follow-up exam and receive notification when a report is available.

Vision Series PACS Version 5.5 introduces enhancements to RealTime Worklist, including role-based workflow management. Also included are extended Vision Watch reporting capabilities and new advanced high availability options.

Aspyra (Booth 3307) is releasing CyberRAD RIS, AccessRAD RIS/PACS and AccessNET PACS. CyberRAD RIS, AccessRAD RIS/PACS offer end-to-end solutions that automate processes at every point of patient workflow. AccessNET PACS version 6.3 includes improved configuration management tools, support of XDS-I for implementation in regional health information organizations (RHIOs), default role-based user profiles, better handling of imported external studies and enhanced disaster recovery connection with partner InSiteOne. Aspyra is demonstrating mammography hanging protocols to enable efficient diagnostic reading of digital mammography studies.

Brit Systems (Booth 3503) is introducing enhancements to its DICOM routing module. New routing rules for the Roentgen Router include: auto-routing based on study status changes and the “Doctor Pal” mechanism that intelligently routes studies based on different RVUs, keeping same-patient studies linked together to help facilitate reading and diagnosis and differentiation of studies by CPT codes, such as screening mammography versus diagnostic mammography exams.

Candelis (Booth 6926) is displaying its ImageGrid PACS appliance with the addition of an enhanced ImageGrid web viewer, IG Viewer. The web viewer provides a way to view studies from any workstation on a LAN or WAN, or remote workstations via a VPN. IG Viewer’s Import Too makes it possible to import a study to the ImageGrid from any PC or workstation.

	Carestream Health: Kodak Carestream PACS

Carestream Health (Booth 2513) is unveiling new Kodak Carestream PACS features and showing the Kodak Carestream Digital Dashboard.

The latest features of Kodak Carestream PACS include dynamic streaming capabilities to enhance the rapid delivery of images to clinicians in on-site and remote locations. Kodak Carestream Digital Dashboard provides administrators a way to monitor equipment performance, storage utilization and user volumes. PACS administrators can verify the status of any networked device via a color-coded digital display. The digital dashboard also makes it easy to track the number of concurrent users for a device, and the number of read and unread imaging studies.

Cedara Software (Booth 1316) is sharing its C4 (Cedara Clinical Control Center), including C4 integrations and C4-enabled applications. The C4 framework lets organizations integrate once using a C4 interface and any C4-enabled plug-in to deliver a streamlined clinical imaging solution. 

The work-in-progress Cedara I-Reach, an example of a C4 host, facilitates the viewing of diagnostic images over the internet. High performance and a seamless user interface facilitate image distribution throughout the enterprise or remotely.

The work-in-progress Cedara I-Response allows users to automatically generate a variety of quantitative calculations, compare tumor activity at multiple time points and visualize therapy response in individual, configurable layouts. Cedara OrthoWorks ProPlanner is a templating and stitching application that brings orthopedic workflow to any imaging desktop. Cedara PET/CT, another work in progress, follows radiology workflow and solves image fusion challenges in a PACS environment.

Cerner Corp. (Booth 1365) is demonstrating ProVision Workstation software. The workstation complements Cerner RIS/PACS to create a cohesive suite of radiology solutions. ProVision PACS offers a complete range of image management products, including image acquisition, storage, display and web distribution services. Cerner’s paperless and filmless PACS solutions optimize workflow and eliminate waste in the radiology department. The ProVision Workstation further streamlines radiology workflow through one-click access of the Cerner Multimedia Foundation, a single repository for all types of images across multiple care venues.

	CoActiv: Exam-PACS

CoActiv Medical Business Solutions (Booth 5741) is showing Exam-RIS and Exam-PACS and announcing the validation of its Exam-Vault Quad-Redundant Archiving system for use with the Philips Xcelera echocardiography system.

The fully web-based Exam-RIS is integrated with Exam-PACS and includes numerous functions and tools. CoActiv Exam-PACS incorporates paperless features and scans and attaches paperwork to digital exams for instant review in both the CoActiv Exam-Console and Exam-Viewer windows. Built-in Exam-PACS software supports scanning with any TWAIN-compliant single- or multi-sheet scanner. 

Exam-Vault Quad-Redundant Archiving supports all-inclusive medical image acquisition, viewing, distribution and archiving.

	DR Systems: Unity RIS/PACS

DR Systems (Booth 2165) is featuring Release 8 of the Unity RIS/PACS which includes a patient link to merge or link unintended duplicate patient records; patient registration to allow for pre-registration preparations; smart forms to associate appropriate exam and insurance form templates with patient; patient tracking; film tracking; mammography tracking; mammography image; mammography CAD; mammography reporting; exam workflow notes to initiate tasks to facilitate tracking workflow and setting priorities; and sentinel to monitor overall facility including exam and report statistics, workstation configuration and application status.

Dynamic Imaging (Booth 4765), acquired by GE Healthcare in October, is demonstrating IntegradWeb PACS and RIS/PACS with additional features. The latest version of IntegradWeb PACS delivers scalability to more than 1 million exams per year, and support of the latest version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Two IntegradWeb PACS advancements, both pending FDA 510(k) clearance, include the IntegradWeb PACS native PET/CT solution and enhanced comparison mode. PET/CT provides a complete package of advanced tools native to IntegradWeb PACS for PET/CT interpretation to make integrated PET/CT functionality available anywhere with an internet connection.

Dynamic Imaging also is showing two clinical applications to be integrated with IntegradWeb PACS. PeerVue qiVue integration includes intelligent tools to manage continuous quality improvement in imaging: ER discrepancy alerts, peer review and critical finding notification. IntegradWeb PACS is integrated with CAD Sciences ProStream for prostate imaging and includes CAD Sciences’ fTP (full-time-point) visualization algorithm for MR prostate imaging.

IntegradWeb RIS/PACS, is an integrated solution for ambulatory environments that includes single login, information sharing via web services and RIS-driven and PACS-driven workflows.

Eclipsys (Booth 6959) is showcasing Sunrise Radiology and Sunrise PACS which are fully scalable and can be integrated with Sunrise Clinical Manager for a robust, enterprise-class imaging solution. The latest release of Sunrise Radiology features support for multiple secondary MRNs, enhancements to online scheduling by physicians, speech recognition module enhancements, and support for PACS-driven workflow with third-party PACS.

The latest additions to the Sunrise PACS workstation family, powered by Sectra, provide speed in displaying and managing large datasets, full RIS/PACS integration and a modern, scalable architecture.

Emageon (Booth 8508) is showcasing its RadSuite Express, a turn-key solution that helps facilities producing less than 80,000 radiology studies a year install and start using PACS in a matter of days. The simplified, web-enabled, single-server solution is based on Dell technology. The RadSuite Express product features the imaging best practices, optimized hanging protocols and workflow capability experience.

eRAD (Booth 8538) is introducing a scheduling module for its eRAD PACS that enables multi-site imaging centers to centrally manage patient information, procedure schedules, insurance verification and room allocation. The PACS Scheduling Module is available as a standalone application and as an add-on to its PACS.

Fujifilm Medical Systems USA (Booth 1129), with the acquisition of ProSolv CardioVascular earlier this year, is highlighting Synapse version 3.2, integration with ProSolv CardioVascular’s CVIIS, future extensions to distributed 3D software and an expanded data model for Synapse PACS.

Synapse Version 3.2 addresses recent trends in digital mammography and includes the ability to display and manage CAD results, MQSA-compliant image overlays and diagnostic/screening reading protocols.

With the acquisition of ProSolv CardioVascular, Fujifilm is extending its PACS platform and demonstrating integration with ProSolv CardioVascular’s cardiovascular image and information system (CVIIS) for any modality, including cath. The company is highlighting integrated Corridor4DM (previously known as 4DM-SPECT) capabilities. Future extensions to Fuji 3D software cover PET/CT fusion and digital mammography. The company is showing work-in-progress advancements to existing diagnostic MIP/MPR capabilities for Synapse.

The expanded data model for Synapse PACS includes tight integration of Empiric Systems Encompass.NET RIS functionality. Also, as a work in progress, Fujifilm is demonstrating expanded information content.

GE Healthcare (Booth 1729) is showcasing Centricity Imaging-PACS version 3.0. New IHE profiles automate exam acquisition, reporting, and communication for referring physicians.

GE also is showcasing its Centricity AW Suite 2 that combines advanced visualization tools from AW software within Centricity Imaging-PACS. Centricity AW Suite 2 offers five optional modules such as CardIQ (cardiology), Advanced Lung Analysis (oncology), Advanced Vessel Analysis (cardiovascular), Autobone and CT colonography.

GE’s Centricity Radiology solution lets users manage workflow and leverage a common radiology information system across geographically dispersed locations.

GE is featuring its Centricity Imaging ASP, a scalable DICOM archive solution that enhances, protects and optimizes radiology and cardiology workflow by providing the same rich software functionality but with a pay-per-procedure cost structure.

Infinitt (Booth 8520) is introducing Infinitt Cardiac PACS and Infinitt Smart-NET.

Infinitt Cardiac PACS is an integrated solution that analyzes, achieves and retrieves 2D and 3D cardiac images via an ECG viewer. It provides image management tools, including image acquisition, storage, displays and web distribution devices. For XML-based ECG, the application can display, measure and print the ECG signals. In addition, an intuitive user interface and system architecture offer configurable work list management and customizable display protocols. Enhanced 3D processing and customizable reports improve diagnostic quality and productivity.

The Infinitt Smart-NET ASP-based program hosts and delivers medical information and images from secure data centers using wide area network (WAN) connections.

	Intelerad: InteleViewer from IntelePACS

Intelerad (Booth 4759) is highlighting InteleViewer 3-5-1 and IntelePACS.

InteleViewer, the dual-mode viewing application included with IntelePACS, offers rapid performance and an intuitive user interface. New features include freehand and volume region of interest measurements, orthogonal measurement, and digital subtraction angiography.

New IntelePACS features include a Report Generation and Distribution module. For teleradiology practices that do not use RIS, IntelePACS now handles the entire radiologist and transcriptionist workflow. The Roaming User profiles modules allow an organization to offer multiple “user profiles” tailored to different working situations that roam with them across different sites or between different IntelePACS installations.

Intuitive Imaging Informatics (Booth 3965) is unveiling enhancements to Rational Imaging PACS and ImageQube web-based PACS. 

New developments for Rational Imaging include the expansion of PET Fusion with the ability to facilitate workflow by doing full-body MIPs and Volume Region of Interest (ROI). Efficient memory management allows simultaneous display of comparison exams including available priors and saving annotations. Mammography reading has been improved with the development of MG Overlays and Presentation State to better harness data from digital scanners and MG Scoring. MR Angio has been enhanced with the addition of MIP. Additional templates have been developed for orthopedic practices. Flexibility is furthered by new exam assignment and custom auto-load worklist efficiencies.

ImageQube provides improved custom protocols using “one-click” layouts. Also new is a fully-automated, personal DVD/CD burner capability, providing exams, reports and key image displays of both primary and rendered data (PET fusion), for Windows users.

McKesson (Booth 2542) is showcasing its comprehensive enterprise image management and workflow solutions in radiology, cardiology and endoscopy and revenue management solutions.

Horizon Radiology Manager is the core workflow component of an enterprise-focused RIS/PACS. The latest release offers additional clinical features such as allergy indicator enhancements, simplification of the non-reportable workflow and enhanced integration to the latest Horizon PACS. 

Horizon Medical Imaging now offers the ability for remote radiologists to choose to annotate images, bookmark images, flag images, adjust image presentation, report on studies, and use McKesson’s unique ER Discrepancy Reporting solution either over the web or from a dedicated workstation.

Horizon Cardiology 11.1 supports hemodynamic monitoring, cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, vascular, nuclear reporting and CPACS on a single platform to provide a fully integrated cath lab.

Merge Healthcare (Booth 1122) is showcasing Fusion RIS/PACS MX, Fusion PACS MX, Fusion RIS MX, Merge Ortho and Fusion PACS GL.

Fusion RIS/PACS MX features exam-driven imaging workflow from scheduling through billing and worklist management customized for each user. Other features include business performance monitoring and management with practice analysis tools. A Referring Practice Portal allows immediate distribution of reports and images to referring physicians. 

Fusion PACS MX, a work in progress, provides workflow-integrated clinical applications. It uses leading-edge platform technology to automatically launch the right clinical application required for viewing each study.

Fusion PACS MX 3.0 also brings new viewing protocols including the ability to save annotations or measurements as part of the image and expanded keyboard mappings for better workflow optimization.

Fusion RIS MX 3.30, another work in progress, incorporates the top requests from a Merge Healthcare User Group Meeting. Merge Ortho provides automation designed to minimize mouse clicks for standard planning procedures, such as automatic hip templating, automatic image stitching and automatic reporting.

Fusion PACS GL, another work in progress, is designed for presentation, storage, retrieval and distribution of medical images, with extensive customization options. Options available in Fusion PACS GL allow users to take advantage of visualization tools such as MIP and MPR.

Meta Fusion (Booth 6456) is announcing enhancements to the Helium radiology practice management solution that supports multi-country, localized workflow, while maintaining RIS/PACS integration. The company also is demonstrating RIS-driven imaging architecture.

Helium features RIS-driven imaging architecture that uses a RIS interface as a single “skin” for controlling all RIS and PACS functions. The user need never switch between applications, although the programs are separate. Helium is fine-tuned for the special needs of imaging centers and small hospitals. Designed to support individualized practice and department procedures, Helium provides multi-site booking, cross-location workflow and load-balancing and a full range of customizations.

MIMvista (Booth 4174) is introducing its MIMpacs radiation-therapy (RT) system as part of the release of its MIM 4.1 application suite. MIMpacs leverages existing MIMvista display software to create an image-centric RT-PACS solution handling traditional modalities and DICOM RT formats, the company said.

   

Neurostar Solutions (Booth 3582) is debuting 3D image processing functionality.

Developed in collaboration with Kjaya Medical, 3D functionality is fully integrated into Neurostar’s Virtual Radiology Network application as a location-free, pay-as-you-go application service provider offering. The 3D service stores raw imaging data from an acquisition site to Neurostar’s off-site servers, and users can then reconstruct the data using Neurostar’s web-based tool while taking advantage of the processing power of Neurostar’s offsite servers and backend software. Fees for the new Neurostar 3D service will be on a per-use or per-study basis, eliminating upfront investment. Neurostar is showing the 3D application as a work in progress.

NovaRad Corporation (Booth 6537) is announcing the availability of NovaPACS and NovaRIS in Spanish and highlighting NovaPACS 7.0 and NovaRIS 7.0.

NovaPACS is a scalable, fast and effective PACS solution that offers 3D imaging, image retrieval, a full-feature viewer and brokerless integration. New features include split/merge study options, multiple site codes, better spine labeling, audio alerts, enhanced integration between the PACS and dictation software and increased menu customization options.

NovaRIS provides the ability to filter workflow by modality and launch dictation from workflow, and contains specialized worklists and reports for stalled and cancelled procedures.

	OrthoView: Version 5 includes a limb deformity package

OrthoView (Booth 2973) is featuring demonstrations of its latest client/server software and a new module for limb deformity repair.

The new client/server software includes customized versions for major PACS vendors. As part of its Version 5 software, OrthoView is presenting a new module for limb deformity planning. The module includes a capability for “plate contouring” or on-screen plate-bending visualization. The limb deformity package allows planning of full leg and single bone osteotomies, with the ability to plan deformities in the frontal, sagittal or oblique plane. A reduction tool allows quick-and-easy visualization of the planned correction and the module supports templating of internal and external fixators, including the Taylor Spatial Frame.

Philips Medical Systems (Booth 4129) is showcasing iSite PACS 3.6 and 4.1 and Philips iSite Radiology.

iSite Radiology is a complete radiology viewing solution designed to help sites meet throughput goals. iSite Radiology features real-time, enterprise-wide delivery of diagnostic quality images to support multiple locations and offsite users; a customizable, easy-to-use user interface and advanced workflow tools designed by radiologists to improve efficiency and increase throughput; integrated advanced visualization tools for volumetric image visualization, manipulation and interpretation; open platform standards to integrate with enterprise systems, third-party applications and custom solutions to support clinical workflow and a scalable platform and business model to meet future growth demands.

	RamSoft: PowerServer PACS 4.5

RamSoft (Booth 4303) is highlighting PowerServer PACS 4.5. New features include: automated report faxing, study bookmarks, enhanced dictation and transcription, scriptable routing rules, new patient explorer to facilitate patient document creation, viewing and editing, voice notes and new integration with TeraRecon AquariusNET, iCAD, EMC Centera and Dictaphone PowerScribe.

ScImage (Booth 2551) is demonstrating a web-based workflow management foundation in PicomEnterprise, which fuses DICOM, HL7 and web services into a single codebase. This foundation provides intelligent workflow that can be layered over separate silos of information to create a unified workflow solution. PicomEnterprise joins core image and information communication protocols with intelligent business rules to create a workflow management foundation. The newest version features dynamic workflow allocation that enable users to assign studies to specific readers based on location, time of day, sub-specialty, individual backlogs and current workload indexes. Administrators can track and manage daily workflow, order backlogs and reporting turnaround.

Sectra (Booth 6513) is launching a comprehensive high-end diagnostic workstation and a new version of Sectra Control Tower.

The new workstation incorporates Sectra’s patent pending technology for retrieving and displaying image data of extreme size to eliminate problems encountered in working with large datasets. Optimized for remote reading, Sectra’s next-generation PACS facilitates the distributed reading scenario in which radiologists read images from multiple clinics. Sectra PACS features efficient distribution of datasets regardless of size through advanced streaming technology. It is designed for variations in network quality and also performs efficiently over high-latency networks.

Sectra Control Tower monitors the daily status of the radiology department and reveals long-term production trends in RIS and PACS. It generates comprehensive reports to support daily management decisions and can support long-term procurement planning. 

Siemens Medical Solutions (Booth 7713) is showcasing its syngo software platform, syngo Portal and syngo Dynamics V.6. The syngo platform includes RIS, PACS, post-processing and distribution.  Through web-based integrated syngo Portal, fast and secure communication is available between departments and partners, task-specific tools and information. syngo Portal Radiologist is structured for radiologists performing specific tasks such as medical checks, reading images and signing off of reports. This structure displays the daily scheduled procedures and the relevant information for the user in their main task area.

Also being showcased is syngo Dynamics V.6, a new cardiology image management and reporting solution that offers integrated image and data management, post-processing, and reporting.

Thinking Systems Corporation (Booth 4583) is unveiling ThinkingPACS with enhanced support for PET/CT fusion. 

ThinkingPACS offers comprehensive modality support with imaging technologies including essential and advanced features for general radiology (CT, MR, CR and DR), PET/CT and SPECT/CT fusion, nuclear cardiology processing and analysis, general nuclear medicine processing and review, cardiac PET analysis, PET brain analysis, advanced 3D processing and visualization, orthopedic templating, cardiac catheterization and angiography, echocardiography, general ultrasound and digital mammography. ThinkingPACS provides connectivity to modalities and third-party products through DICOM, HL7 or proprietary protocols or formats. Its ModalityBroker and ThinkingAddOn help integrate all imaging modalities into an existing or new enterprise radiology PACS from a thirty-party vendor.

	Visage: Visage PACS/CS

Visage Imaging, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercury Computer Systems (Booth 2591), is showcasing Visage PACS/CS.

Visage PACS/CS is based on web and thin-client technology with fully integrated clinical applications including a new release of Visage Cardiac Analysis, a CT cardiac application based on thin-client technology. The image data and applications within Visage PACS/CS are not bound to specific workstations and become instantly accessible anywhere, anytime within the PACS workflow. The thin-client-enabled PACS provides virtually instant data access and 3D performance from any location. Visage is highlighting new and optimized tools for many subspecialties.